OKLAHOMA CITY — Carpenter Square Theatre opened its 41st season on September 13th, 2024 at their fresh new space downtown near W. Reno and S. Western.
Swinging boldly out the gate is “Making Sweet Tea and Other Secrets” by Paul Elliott. Directed by Terry Veal, the family drama unapologetically addresses issues both current and age-old, delivering a punch with a sweet Southern drawl.
Dottie and Ruth are two sisters who live life simply on their rural farm, out of the melee of city life and fast-paced drama. But when a familiar stranger is brought to them one night; injured and needing a safe place to hide and heal, the two sisters are faced with revelations they never saw coming. This brutally honest and thought-provoking play is one that sheds a harsh light on the dangers of bigotry and abuse.
Joe Kelley gives an unforgettable performance as Amber, a young Trans woman who has endured years of abuse. She runs away from her father, a powerful and connected community leader. Fearful for her mother, she returns home, only to be met with her father’s harshest and worst. Injured and fed up, Amber finds help and refuge in the most unlikely of places. Kelley is moving and inspiring in this role, bringing charm and wit to a complex character. It would be easy to paint Amber as a helpless victim, but Kelley is anything but.
The cast is completed by local favorites Emily Garman, Lilli Bassett, Laurie Blankenship, John C. Arnold, Sean Spencer, and Christine Lanning. Bassett and Blankenship spar perfectly as the two sisters. The audience finds themselves rooting for both women, even when they disagree, as sisters tend to do. Bassett, as Dottie, is an instant champion for the young woman who shows up on their door. While her sister Ruth, portrayed by Blankenship, takes longer to come around, she becomes Amber’s fiercest defender.
The entire cast is balanced and brilliant, holding space for each scene to unfold naturally. Dialogue flows in a conversational tone, and the audience is held breathless throughout the show. When the three women at the center of the story step into their own strength, cheers and whoops erupt from the crowd.
Special applause should be given to director Veal, who tackles sensitive subject matter while balancing humor and levity in the same breath. The show’s topic is tough one and must be portrayed ultimately as supportive for the plight of others. Veal’s seasoned cast is perhaps best suited to handle this story with care and compassion.
Sweet Tea and Other Secrets runs two and a half hours, with a much-needed fifteen-minute intermission. The new space is accessible, bright and cozy. The bar and lounge are perfect for enjoying a drink and snacks before the show or during intermission.
Patrons can also browse and purchase artwork on the walls in the lounge area. Each show in the season lineup features a different local artist on the gallery walls. Sweet Tea features artwork from Norman-based painter Vikki McGuire. The pieces on display and for sale at the theater range from celestial to earthly, and the warm tones are inviting and pleasing to patrons as they browse.
Making Sweet Tea and Other Secrets, the first show of Carpenter Square’s 41st season, closed September 29th.
CST’s next show is Dial M For Murder, running October 25th – November 10th, 2024. This play is perfect for the spooky season and is sure to draw audiences. The holiday season is ushered in with The Game’s Afoot, which runs November 29th – December 15th.
Tickets to all of Season 41, including individual and season packages, are on sale now. Season 41 runs through July, closing with the much-anticipated fantasy play She Kills Monsters. The theater offers half-price tickets on select college game nights, so double-check that football schedule if you’re so inclined to skip a game or two.
Visit carpentersquare.com for more information.
Adrienne Proctor is a theater and arts writer in Oklahoma City. She's been contributing to the arts reporting space since 2017.
