By MINGSI MA
Coconut Cake, staged by New Horizon Theater and part of the Public Presents series, is a delightful treat. Written by Chicago-based African American playwright Melda Beaty, it takes place in a setting that does not serve coconut cake despite its delicious title: a McDonald’s on Chicago’s South Side.
As the lights come up, that classic McDonald’s jingle kicks in (“ba da ba ba ba”), and Hank, played by John Reilly, pulls a few tissues from the dispenser and wipes down the greasy table with the efficiency of someone who has done it many times before. I heard audience members chuckle at the moment because it felt so real. Herb Newsome’s set design recreates a McDonald’s so convincingly that I could almost smell the place. It invites the audience into this McDonald’s as if eavesdropping on the men’s conversation at the next table.
Humor and warmth are the undertones of this play. Coconut Cake depicts a small group of retired men who gather weekly at the McDonald’s. They sip coffee, play chess, read the newspaper, and most importantly, shoot the breeze. As the story goes, the peaceful days are interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious woman in her fifties with her delicious coconut cake in town, testing the men’s relationships with others.
Beaty brilliantly establishes five characters on stage, along with several others who never appear on stage but come alive through the conversation around the table. Rather than caricaturing her characters, Beaty continues to give us many surprises and layers in subtle hints that gradually reveal new sides of them. Despite the number of characters, each one feels well-rounded and distinct, shaped by a lifetime of stories. Because none of these five elderly men is perfect, marked by their own flaws and humanity, they all feel familiar, reminding the audience of their family, friends, neighbors, and strangers passing by.
Directed by Eileen J. Morris, this production of Coconut Cake features a consistently strong ensemble of performers, each bringing their life experience, confidence, and command to the roles. A major highlight of this production is the acting of each performer. Eddie, played by Art Terry, habitually cheats on his wife and is now in a huge fight with her. Alex Morris’ Joe is a flashy, profit-driven businessman who flips real estate and runs rental properties. Sheldon Ingram’s Marty often carries his bible to McDonald’s. He appears righteous and invests in the moral conduct of those around him, repeatedly persuading Eddie to love and respect his wife and lecturing Joe on the trap of being blinded by greed. Gotdamnit, played by Kevin Brown, is erratic and often stops by the group to ask for a few bucks for a hash brown. John Reilly’s Hank is the only White man among this group of African American men. Hank feels very lonely after his wife’s passing, while Marty encourages him to hang out and play chess. The play later also reveals why Hank was accepted into the group in the first place.
The personalities of these men are further enhanced by the costume design of Melton “Guy” Martin and Eileen J. Morris. The performers each appear in multiple outfits to signal the passage of time. Eddie, the ladies’ man, enters in an 80s-style shiny blue tracksuit, plus a toothpick dangling from his mouth. Joe, the businessman, is dressed in a well-tailored suit. Marty, the modest good man, loves Fedora and jumpsuits. And Hank swings his body in a plaid jacket when he’s in a good mood. Each time they appear in a different outfit, it brings a renewed sense of freshness. One can tell the costumes are carefully chosen to serve the characters.
What these five men chat about ranges from politics, taxes, health insurance, to family and marriage. Terry, Morris, Ingram, Brown, and Reilly collaborate well together and generate amazing on-stage chemistry. These old men can be argumentative over politics from time to time. They also stare and salute the hot lady passing by the window of McDonald’s every time. At the same time, they look out for one another with their unspoken brotherhood code.
Back in 2022, the play received the Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin Rolling World Premiere Award at the National Black Theatre Festival. In keeping with New Horizon Theater’s mission to “reflect the African American point of view,” Coconut Cakestands as another strong and fitting selection. The play offers a grounded portrait of African American social life, especially through the dynamics of friendship and bonding among the group of men. Coconut Cake also gestures toward something more universal. It engages with the stereotypes that men are less vulnerable and don’t like to reveal their emotional needs. Still, this McDonald’s serves as their safe haven. When Eddie has to sleep in the car after a fight with his wife, Marty, Joe, and Hank all offer him a place to stay on multiple occasions. When Eddie and Joe don’t pick up the calls, the rest get worried and look for them. The bond between these fellows is heartwarming, and they are very lucky to have one another.
As I write this review, I am munching on a piece of coconut cake I got at the end of the show that was being sold in the theater lobby. My first-ever slice of coconut cake. I like how it is rich in coconut flavor and goes well with tea. I encourage people to give it a try if the show makes you hanker for one!
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Coconut Cake, staged by New Horizon Theater at the O’Reilly Theater has performances through June 14, 2026. For tickets visit: https://www.newhorizontheater.org
Coconut Cake took place in the Helen Wayne Rauh Rehearsal Hall at the O’Reilly Theater. When I walked down the staircase, I saw stickers on the wall proudly showcasing Pittsburgh Public Theater’s former seasons, not just in past years, but decades. Given the recent news about Pittsburgh Public Theater’s layoffs of its entire staff without prior notice, it felt very surreal. It was incredibly disappointing to learn of such poor labor practices that lack of empathy, and care. Sharon Eberson of OnStage Pittsburgh wrote a sharp commentary that, I believe, reflects the views of many in the community. The trust and goodwill of its community takes years for an organization to earn and can easily be undone overnight; neither should be treated as expendable. My heart goes out to those who have been impacted. MM
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
Leave a Reply Cancel reply