Letter from the Editors

Dear PlayNotes Readers,

Welcome to another delicious edition of Playnotes!

In this issue, we explore the world of The Cake, Bekah Brunstetter's drama inspired by the 2018 Masterpiece Cakeshop supreme court case. When Jenn comes back to her hometown with her fiancee, Macy, family friend Dela must examine the values she's learned and decide whether or not she will make the happy couple's wedding cake. Curious about the real-life inspiration for this play? Check out "Masterpiece Cakeshop" (pg. 20) and learn more about LGBTQ+ legal advocacy today in our sit-down with Portland's own Equality Maine (pg. 12).

We explore the world of The Cake with the articles “The Great British Bakeoff” (pg. 14) and "The History of the Wedding Cake" (pg. 16) .

Want to learn more about this production of The Cake? Head over to our "Interview with the Director - Todd Brian Backus” (pg. 10).

When compiling each issue of PlayNotes, we strive to provide articles and interviews that give you insight into what the process has been like behind the scenes (see articles in “Portland Stage’s The Cake”), contain pertinent information about the play’s setting and major themes (“The World of The Cake”), and provide deeper dives into specific subjects that compelled our literary department (“Digging Deeper”). We include a list of books, films, plays, and television shows that we hope audiences will access for more cultural content that relates to the play (“Recommended Resources”).

We are so excited to have you join us in welcoming this sweet treat to end our season, and we hope you enjoy seeing The Cake.

Sincerely yours,

The Portland Stage Literary Department

Todd Brian Backus

Audrey Erickson

Rachel Ropella