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Theater Review: ‘Cake Off’ grist for the mill at Bucks

Bucks County Playhouse gets back to its roots with the musical, “Cake Off,” through Sept. 10 in New Hope.

The Playhouse dates to July 1, 1939, when “Springtime for Henry,” starring Edward Everett Horton opened after the building was saved from demolition when purchased by a group of artists including playwright Moss Hart (“You Can’t Take It with You,” 1936; “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” 1939, and “George Washington Slept Here,” 1940, all co-written with George S. Kaufman).

The Playhouse, originally Hope Mills, a grist mill, burned down in 1790. It was rebuilt as New Hope Mills, thus giving the borough of New Hope its name.

The flour has still not settled, as evidenced by “Cake Off,” a rather delicious musical about a televised cooking contest, in this case, the Millberry Cake Off, seemingly inspired by the Pillsbury Bake-Off, run annually by the Pillsbury Company, 1949-1976, 2013-2014 and biennially 1978-2012. Until 1994, the top prize was $50,000. Since 1996, the prize has been $1 million. (In case you want to batter up, the next contest is in November.).

Lest you have any doubt about the popularity of the subject, “The Great British Bake Off” is the most-viewed TV show in Great Britain.

That million-dollar prize sets the stage for “Cake Off,” which takes place in 1996 and brings a man into the fold, Paul Hubbard (Euan Morton), with his son Wyatt (Aidan J. Lawrence) in tow, facing off against Rita Gaw (Michele Ragusa). Host of the show is Jack DeVault (Justin Guarini, pulling triple duty as a smooth TV personality and hilarious support-stocking roles as Lenora Cass and Nancy DeMarco).

“Cake Off” is based on the play, “Bake Off,” by Sheri Wilner, with book by Wilner and Julia Gordon and music by Adam Gwon and lyrics by Gwon and Jordan. The Bucks’ show is directed smartly and with panache by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, with choreography by Josh Prince.

“Cake Off” is a tasty concoction of fun and frivolity with 15 songs (including one reprise) in the two-hour show (including intermission). Lyrics to some of the songs (the catchy opening number, “In Order,” by the sassy and enthusiastic Ragusa) could almost be recipes in and of themselves.

The lyrics are quite clever, with lines such as “It’s just chemical reactions”; “action, reaction”; “science, love and skill,” and “Everything in order, Everything in place” metaphors for the onstage contestants, and for how to cook up a good life, as well.

One of the chief attractions of “Cake Off” are the harmonies: Ragusa and Morton, notably in “Gonna Be a Good Day,” one of the show’s strongest songs, and “If I Won,” with superb four-part vocals by Ragusa, Morton, Guarini and Lawrence.

Guarini, who proves a great comedic actor, is in fine voice in the solo spotlight, “You Think Millberry.”

Morton, evoking a woeful hangdog presence, emotes wonderfully in “Less Like Me,” the show’s breakout cabaret-worthy tune.

Music Director Andrea Grody puts it all together with piano accompaniment only. Sound Design is by Leon Rothenberg.

Scenic Design by Lauren Helpern recreates a delightfully fanciful TV studio show set, augmented effectively with Lighting Design by Gina Scherr.

Costume Design by Sarah J. Holden matches the character’s personalities and goes the extra yardage for Guarini’s over-the-top characters in drag (High heels? No problem.).

“Cake Off” has the ingredients for an entertaining afternoon or evening singing the praises of the Millberry Bake Off at the former New Hope Mills. It is just desserts for the legendary Playhouse.

PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUSFrom left: Michele Ragusa, Justin Guarini and Euan Morton, “Cake Off,” through Sept. 10, Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope. Copyright - &Copy;2016 Joan Marcus