A lot can happen over beer and dessert selections, thanks to the intriguing script by Karin Shook, great pacing by director Jenna Place, and a terrific ensemble… That quiver of doubt and possibility drives the show for a provocative 90 minutes — will they or won’t they blow up, make up, melt down, or emerge stronger? Jonathan Feuer’s aplomb as the Waiter fits totally into the swirling mix of emotions as he describes beers and desserts with world-class sophistication and literary finesse. Jacob Yeh’s Jasper has a sweet veneer of grinning innocence on the outside, but explosive energy rumbles just below the surface and can go boom. Kari Ginsburg plays Adelaide with a perfect blend of kindness undergirded with steel.
Jacob Yeh portrays a sympathetic father and husband who appears, at times, blindsided by the intensity of his wife’s emotions. Kari Ginsburg embodies the disaffected housewife, frustrated by a life that leaves her feeling unnoticed and insignificant. The actors are well matched. When they were shown to their table, it took a few moments for the audience to realize that they were not fellow theatre goers. The intimacy and intensity of their conversation was riveting, occasionally causing this audience member to wonder if she wasn’t eavesdropping on the next table rather than watching a performance!
Kari Ginsburg is firm but stalwart in her portrayal of Adelaide. Jacob Yeh is easygoing yet emotionally nuanced in his portrayal of Jasper. Jonathan Feuer’s Waiter serves an essential role in the performance and he fills his role as both a narrator and host artfully. All performers know how their characters act and react in given situations and it is reflective in the body language- which plays a key element in reflecting how the conversation is being received.