Los Angeles Times
“CRITIC’S CHOICE… SMART, FUNNY… explores human conflict from an insightful, slightly offbeat perch with understanding, respect and compassion for opposing points of view” — Philip Brandes, Los Angeles Times
Stage Raw
“RECOMMENDED… STAGE RAW TOP 10… a singularly savory dramedy that crystallizes a contentious issue and, with empathy for both sides, portrays it in an edifying and insightful way… I left the theater feeling moved and enlightened.” — Deborah Klugman, Stage Raw
LA Weekly
“HOPEFUL AND MOVING… less interested in the truth claims of competing ideologies than in sympathetically exploring the collateral emotional damage of clashes at the red state/blue state divide” — Bill Raden, LA Weekly
KCRW
“CHARMING… ENDEARING… ‘The Cake’ is exactly the kind of play we need in America right now” —Anthony Barnes, KCRW 89.9 FM
Theatre Notes
“SUPERB… a ninety-minute wonder spiked with moments of high hilarity as well as scenes of ripe emotion that sear the heart… Debra Jo Rupp in a performance of purest gold.” — Paul Myrvold, Theatre Notes
Broadway World
“A WINNING RECIPE… Start with Brunstetter’s witty, relationship-focused script on very timely, hot-button issues of today; generously add a talented cast of actors (led by the most delicious Debra Jo Rupp); mix well with Jennifer Chambers’ sure-handed direction; and top off with perfectly synchronized and fitting technical elements… A MUST SEE” — Gil Kaan, Broadway World
People’s World
“FUNNY AND TOUCHING… a bittersweet confection that humanizes all parties in the conversation… DON’T MISS IT.” — Eric Gordon, Peoples World
EDGE
“BRILLIANT… a strikingly lovely play, never condescending to its characters, very funny… [Debra Jo Rupp] gives a master class in comic timing with her Della: subtle, wise, fast-moving, never faltering, which makes her anguish all the more palpable… boldly attacks the issues of the day… SEE IT NOW” — Dale Reynolds, EDGE
LA Post Examiner
“BRILLIANT… POWERFUL AND MEANINGFUL… great writing… great direction… a truly top flight team of actors… abundant wit and humor.” —Ron Irwin, LA Post-Examiner
Los Angeles Post
“LIKE A SINFUL DESERT… provides lots of pleasure… plenty to chew on… And then there’s Ms Rupp’s performance – truly the icing on the cake.” — Dan Berkowitz, Los Angeles Post
Stage Scene LA
“WOW!… puts a deeply personal, delightfully down-home face on the Gay-Wedding-Cake Wars… I cried, I learned, I loved” — Steven Stanley, Stage Scene LA
Ticket Holders LA
“REFRESHING, MAGICAL AND URGENTLY INSIGHTFUL.. hilariously biting… smartly presented and beautifully acted by this precision cast of exceptionally talented and fiercely committed players” —Travis Holder, Ticket Holders LA
Theatre Ghost
“CLEVERLY WRITTEN… seriously addresses some of our most painful concerns, while allowing us to laugh — and to hope… Thanks to Brunstetter and the folks at Echo Theater Company for taking the time to get it right.” — Mark Hein, Theatre Ghost
The World Through Night-Tinted Glasses
“SO VERY SUCCESSFUL” — David MacDowell Blue, The World Through Night-Tinted Glasses
Will Call for Theater
“DELIGHTFUL… a multi-layered confection… spiked with humor and blessed with lots of heart… so delicious and no calories!: — Ingrid Wilmot, Will Call for Theater
Arts In LA
“PACKS A PUNCH… sensitive portrayals of very human characters for whom there are no glib or easy solutions… personal and believable… considerable humor” — Melinda Schupmann, Arts In LA
Stage and Cinema
‘RECOMMENDED… well written… touching… entertaining… I couldn’t take my eyes off Rupp” — Tony Frankel, Stage and Cinema
On Stage and Screen
“THOUGHTFUL AND HEARTFELT… nuanced writing and a brilliant performance from Rupp” — Erin Conley, On Stage and Screen
LA Theatre Bites
“REFRESHING… succeeds in humanizing both sides of a very difficult topic … GREAT SHOW” — Matthew Robinson, L.A. Theatre Bites
On Stage Los Angeles
“POPPIN’ FRESH” — Michael Sheehan, On Stage Los Angeles
Haines His Way
“A STELLAR PRODUCTION” — Rob Stevens, Haines His Way
Cultural Weekly
“ACCESSIBLE AND ENGAGING… down-to-earth humor and tenderness” — Sylvie Drake, Cultural Weekly
Showmag.com
“SKILLFULLY CONSTRUCTED… a dream cast…Rupp’s Della is simply luminous” — Michael Van Duzer, Showmag