Theatre Arlington presents Superior Donuts

By Tracy Letts

Directed by Larry Cure and Sharon Kaye Miller

Technical Director Bryan Stevenson

Stage Manager Maria Leon Hickox

Asst Stage Manager Victoria Esquibell

Scenic and Lighting Designer Bryan Stevenson

Sound Designer Victoria Esquibell

Costume Designer Sharon Kaye Miller

Properties Designer Robin Dotson

Master Carpenter Colin Wintersole

Sound Board Operator Kelechi Imoh

Light Board Operator Colin Wintersole

CAST

David Fenley

Samantha Padilla

J.R. Bradford

Hannah Bell

Ivan Klousia

Reginald Keith Dunlap II

Tanner Mobley

Maximilian Swenson

Tim Crabb

My thoughts on Superior Donuts or…a “holey” superior play

Fresh off the major success of Fly by Night, Theatre Arlington hits another homer with Superior Donuts and much like Fly by Night, the beauty and emotional impact of Superior Donuts sneaks up on you. This humorous and heartwarming tale of friendship at a rundown Chicago donut shop in a diverse neighborhood features excellent witty dialogue from Tracy Letts and shows once again that Letts is a master of character development.

Arthur Pryzbyszewski, an aging hippy with a graying ponytail and wearing decades old jeans, is the proprietor of Superior Donuts. Arthur’s life is at a standstill, his parents and exwife are dead and he is estranged from his daughter. There seems to be very little hope in Arthur’s life and his Age of Aquarius mindset has left him disillusioned and weary. Into his world bounds Franco Wicks, a young African American male seeking a job at the shop, who, though not without problems and a major gambling debt, has all the vitality and optimism for the future that Arthur lacks. Franco has also written the Great American Novel on a stack of legal pads and composition books. It is the growing relationship between Arthur and Franco that is the focus of the play. The regulars in the donut shop include Russian businessman Max Tarasov. Police officers Randy Osteen and James Bailey, a bag lady known as Lady Boyle. Less welcome in the shop are the bookie Luther Flynn and his goon Kevin Magee. Also making an appearance is Kiril Ivankin, Tarasov’s not so bright but physically intimidating nephew.

Directors Larry Cure and Sharon Kaye Miller have assembled a terrific cast for Superior Donuts. Ivan Klousia is a remarkably effective Arthur. Klousia gives Arthur a gentleness and kindness that wins our sympathy almost immediately. Klousia is especially engaging in the monologues when the character breaks the fourth wall and speaks to the audience directly, revealing the past that has left him feeling defeated. There is a quiet beauty in the soul of Arthur that Klousia captures marvelously.

As Franco, Reginald Keith Dunlap II is beyond amazing. Dunlap’s Franco is a bundle of kinetic energy, dancing around the stage and delivering wisecracks with perfect comic timing. Dunlap makes Franco one of the most appealing stage characters I’ve seen in quite a while. This young man has skills beyond his years and a bright future as a performer.

J.R. Bradford. who plays Officer Bailey, is one of those actors who is so skilled that he embodies the character totally. Bradford gives Bailey a laid-back personality, almost always at ease, but always in control. He’s sort of like your young, cool uncle who would take you to a “Star Trek” convention.

I was delighted to see Samantha Padilla, one of DFW’s best musical performers, in a play. As Officer Randy Osteen, Padilla shines in a seriocomic role. Osteen has a definite attraction to Arthur and Padilla is wonderful being quietly flirtatious. Her eyes and gestures reveal as much as her dialogue.

Hannah Bell, wrapped up in a big pinkish coat, is Lady Boyle, a bag lady who frequents the shop for a donut and occasionally steals the silverware and other serving paraphernalia. Bell is alternately hilarious and heartbreaking as the senile old woman.

David Fenley has perfected his Russian accent as Tarasov, the bombastic, but friendly, businessman next door. Tarasov wants to buy the shop to expand his business and is always after Arthur to sell. I admired Fenley’s delivery which made the character seem authentic, but I was surprised to see the character’s cruel side when he browbeats his nephew Kiril, played by Tim Crabb, who has quite the physical presence.

Tanner Mobley, despite his boyish good looks, was suitably menacing as the bookie Luther Flynn who brings his goon Magee played by Maximilian Swenson to threaten Franco.

Cure and Miller keep Superior Donuts expertly paced and their fondness for the characters is apparent. At its core Superior Donuts is the story of the intergenerational interracial friendship between Arthur and Franco and the superior cast makes Superior Donuts an absorbing, amusing, and touching play about the human need to connect. It’s another winner for Theatre Arlington that you need to put on your must-see list.