April 3, 2026 – April 19, 2026
THE CAKE 
By Bekah Brunstetter
Directed by Lani Brockman and Danny Miller
Della, a devout Christian baker in North Carolina, is overjoyed when her late best friend's daughter, Jen, returns home to get married. But when Jen asks Della to bake a cake for her and her fiancée, Della's faith and convictions are put to the test. Bekah Brunstetter's "The Cake" is a tender, funny, and deeply resonant play about navigating differences with love and understanding. It’s a heartfelt exploration of faith, family, and the complexities of acceptance, proving that even the sweetest intentions can lead to unexpected challenges.
 
MEET THE CAST
 
Ariel Rose Horton (Jen) is a queer actor-educator and ardent cake enjoyer who is full of gratitude to be making her SSR debut. Since moving to Seattle in 2021, Ariel has performed with Taproot Theatre Company, Harlequin Productions, Dacha, GreenStage, Annex Theatre, BAT, and others. Offstage, Ariel teaches at a disability-inclusive nature preschool and youth drama classes with Seattle Children's Theatre. Thank you Mom, Sal, and friends. Love is resistance.
 
Robert Bogue (Tim) Following a long hiatus, Robert is very pleased to return to SSR, his first theater home in the state of Washington. Since season three, he has performed in or directed 45 mainstage and TYA productions at SSR. Favorite SSR credits include (Alphie Doolittle )My Fair Lady, (Various roles) The Complete Wks of Wlm Sksp (Abridged), (Harry Brock) Born Yesterday, (Governor) Man of La Mancha, ( Lloyd Dallas) Noises Off, (Genie) Aladdin, (Papa Bear) Goldilocks, along with directing credits which include Misery, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Kind Hearts and Coronets, The Rocky Horror Show and Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Other regional credits include (Arthur) Camelot at Snoqualmie Falls Forrest Theatre, (Sir Toby Belch) Twelfth Night, The Musical at Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts. Robert wishes to thank Sam, his wonderful whirlwind for all her love and support.
 
Annie St. John (Della)
Arika Gloud (Macy)

MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM
 
Lani Brockman (Co-Director) This is Lani’s first experience with SSR and she is having a blast! Newly retired from her 32-year position of Founding Artistic Director at Studio East, Training for the Performing Arts in Kirkland, Lani couldn’t be happier to be directing adults in this beautiful and timely play. Favorite shows she’s directed include Murder on the Links, The Addams Family, The Drowsy Chaperone, Little Women, Singin’ in the Rain and now, The Cake! It has been her honor to work with this amazingly talented and devoted cast and production team. A very special thanks to Mark, Danny and Jill, without whose help this show could not have happened and to this brilliant cast and crew who have worked so diligently to tell this story with such empathy, reverence and truth. Love to Marty, her wife of 42 years, as well as her amazing family.
 
SPECIAL THANKS: City Theatre of Miami for cake and pastry props.
 
“The Cake” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com