Margie Maes, Kristin Cooper, Michelle Roe, and Jillian Foster Photo by Rhonda Sigler-Ware

The Adobe Theater has produced several of their plays, and will be producing another, Always a Bridesmaid, next season. At first glance these comedies may seem ideal for community-oriented theatre companies. They feature many juicy roles for women and include over the top physical comedy. But beware, timing is essential to realize the full potential of Jones Hope Wooten plays.

Cameron Illidge-Welch brings a perfect background to directing The Red Velvet Cake War. He knows what these small-town women are like: they raised him. He brings this pedigree to his direction of the play. He would have also done well to bring the discipline to wrangle precise performances from his cast.

Timing and pace are everything in a farce. Most of the actors are cast well and deliver competent performances. What is missed is the build and pace of the whole play and the actors listening and reacting to each other. There are many funny lines that miss their mark because the timing is off. Sloppy enunciation nullifies some very precise jokes. There is a rushed quality to the action that negates the effectiveness of the very funny characters and situations. Some actors seem to be left to indulge their tricks and ticks and rely on personal schtick. They serve cheap laughs instead of the play.

Adobe is indeed a family where the company and the audience seem to know and understand each other. This does not mean that in-jokes by well-known actors should be tolerated. Generally, the director needed a stronger hand with everyone in the cast, and very precise direction to reap the rewards a well-timed farce can deliver.

That being said, Jillian Foster as Peaches, Carolyn Hogan as Elsa, Deborah Schoenbaum as CeeCee, and Zane Barker as Newt deliver nuanced and character-driven performances. Mr. Barker particularly seems to have perfected an ideal acting style for farce.

The small stage of the Adobe does not lend itself well to the physical antics and the many crosses of this play. The box set and the many doors called for by the action are at odds with the amount of space available. Perhaps some problems might have been partially eliminated if the set hadn't been cluttered with so many decorative enhancements and properties.

Indeed, there is a thrown together quality to the costumes and props. There is an incomplete or unfinished quality to the whole endeavor. Too many cooks may have spoiled the stew. Like many plays on several Albuquerque stages, the production is under rehearsed. Fortunately, The Red Velvet Cake War has a long run through December 22. Perhaps the kinks will be worked out by then.

The Red Velvet Cake War runs through December 22, 2024, at the Adobe Theater, 9813 4th Street NW , Albuquerque, NM 87114. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Thursdays, December 12 & 19 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $24 & $20. Call 505 898-9222 or adobetheater.org.

Director and Set Designer-Cameron Illidge-Welch, Costume Design- Jason Godin, Lighting Design-Jerry Hines, Stage Manager-Terri Klein.

The Cast: Deborah Schoenbaum, Michelle Roe, Eddie Dethlefs, Georgia Athern, Margie Maes, James Pinkeston, Kristin Herrnstein Cooper, Jillian Foster, Kym Peters, Zane Barker, Carolyn Hogan, Diana Segara-Mahony.