Beignets at Du Monde
written by Dan Roeder, presented by UMBC TheatreCOM's New Playwright's Festival 2012
My initial reaction was that I expected more. I didn't realize it was over when the lights went out. The last line, "I'll never forgive you," was just so full of emotion that I just didn't want to believe it was over. It took place with limited resources, since the TheatreCOM was sharing the space with the Dance Department that night. (Such problems will be avoided once the new Performing Arts and Humanities Building is fully open!) It was set in only a few places in New Orleans: Tilda's front porch, Tilda's house, Cafe Du Monde, a train station, and Lake Pontchartrain. Using only a few characters, my friend Dan combined his theater experience with his budding knowledge of New Orleans and the French Quarter. I saw it on opening night; my professors saw its final performance. I'm hoping that a more embellished play involving more scenes and more character development will be on the new stage next semester -- this should give him the chance to enhance Jacob's character. I'm impressed that Dan was able to write this play without definite knowledge of what kind of space he would have. The pivotal scene definitely was at Cafe Du Monde, a restaurant in the French Quarter (incidentally, founded by the Spanish) famous for beignets. Dan obviously conducted a good deal of research to discover the tradition of blowing sugar on the guest of honor. Unfortunately, Eve didn't understand this tradition that was so essential to her older sister Tilda. Right down to the costumes, the scene at Du Monde was perfectly crafted. Tilda wore an imperious red dress, and Eve's dress was stained red after her unexpected miscarriage in the bathroom. The whole time, Eve was an outsider -- refusing to embrace her sister's French Catholicism, rejecting New Orleans customs, and generally playing her Methodist father's favorite. Meanwhile, Tilda was rejected by her father as she embraced the French Quarter. Overall, the play kept me at the edge of my seat and I kept expecting more. Well done, Dan! also, props to the Stage Manager, my partner in crime (see my previous posts about bananas foster http://bourbonandcanal.tumblr.com/post/20015712577/bananas-foster-my-humanities-course-had-a and making the video project http://bourbonandcanal.tumblr.com/post/23118272631/i-hope-youre-hungry-after-you-watch-that-video). I have referred to my friend throughout this blog as my "partner in crime" so that she remained anonymous.