Photo Flash: Signature Theatre's CAKE OFF, Starring Todd Buonopane and Sherri Edelen, Begins Tonight

Signature Theatre presents the world premiere production of CAKE OFF, a new musical by Sheri Wilner (Kingdom City), Julia Jordan (Murder Ballad) and Adam Gwon (Signature's The Boy Detective Fails). Directed by Signature's Director of New Works Joe Calarco (Signature's Gypsy, Shakespeare's R&J) this hilarious new musical is a battle-of-the-sexes set at the 50th Annual Millberry Cake-Off competition. CAKE OFF runs tonight, September 29 - November 22 in the ARK Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

CAKE OFF is presented as part of the Women's Voices Theater Festival, which is dedicated to featuring new work by female playwrights and highlighting the scope of plays being written by women. Signature is proud to be an originating theater sponsoring the two-month festival, which boasts participation from more than 50 theaters throughout the Nation's Capital region.

The production will star Todd Buonopane (Broadway's Cinderella, Chicago) as Paul, Sherri L. Edelen (Signature's Gypsy, Hairspray) as Rita, Jamie Smithson (Arena Stage's Fiddler on the Roof) as Jack DeVault/Multi-Character Man and Ian Berlin (Signature's Elmer Gantry) as Wyatt.

The creative team includes Musical Direction by Andrea Grody (The Public Theater's The Fortress of Solitude, The Tempest); Scenic Design by Jason Sherwood (Goodspeed's The Circus in Winter, Studio Theatre's Choir Boy); Costume Design by Frank Labovitz (Signature's Cabaret, Soon); Lighting Design by R. Lee Kennedy (Transport Group's Three Days to See, Almost Maine); Sound Design by Lane Elms (Signature's Cabaret, Simply Sondheim); Production Stage Manager Julie Meyers (Signature's Soon, Xanadu); and Production Assistant Jessica Skelton (Signature's Soon).

It's the 50th Annual Millberry CAKE OFF. The legendary jackpot: one million dollars for the best homemade sugary delight. After a chilly pre-heating, hardy contestants Paul and Rita don their aprons, strap on their oven mitts and square off. Armed with whisks, bowls, knives and eggs, the two engage in an increasingly ludicrous all-out brawl - and only one can remain standing when the timer dings. CAKE OFF is based on an original play by Sheri Wilner.

Performances run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $40. Single tickets are available in person at the Signature Box Office at 4200 Campbell Avenue in Shirlington, by calling the Signature Theatre Box Office (703) 820-9771, and online at www.sigtheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Christopher Mueller