January 18, 2022 – Kenmore, WA – As If Theatre Company (AITC) is reopening its doors at the Kenmore Community Club with the play The Cake. Originally scheduled for March 2020, this touching comedy about baking, beliefs, and when to stop following the recipe will finally have its Washington premiere March 3-20, 2022. The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter (NBC’s This is Us, Starz’s American Gods and founding member of The Kilroys) tells the story of Della in her legendary North Carolina bakery, where life is sweet as she prepares to be a contestant on her favorite television baking competition. When her best-friend’s daughter comes home from New York City to ask her to make a cake for her upcoming wedding to a woman, Della is forced to re-examine her deeply held beliefs, as questions of morals, judgment and family swirl around them all.

Directed by Cindy Giese French and stage managed by Stacey Hansen, the cast of four includes Amy Gentry, Stephanie Spohrer, Roz Cornejo, and Patrick Hogan, with a creative team of Sarah Kessler (set design), Molly Hall (costume design), Gwyn Skone (lighting design), and William French (sound design). “I connected with this play the first time I read it.” says French. “Bekah Brunstetter has crafted a beautiful, funny story that cracks open the door, just a bit, to different people’s perspectives. Not only does this play have tremendous heart, it’s also very funny. And after all we’ve been through collectively these past 2 years, we desperately need to be able to laugh together.”

Opening Night – Thursday, March 3.

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm. Sundays at 5:00pm

At the Kenmore Community Club

7304 NE 175th St, Kenmore, WA 98028

For Tickets and Information, visit www.asiftheatre.com.

Tickets: $25 general, $20 senior/ student/ military Health & Safety Protocol*: As If Theatre Company will be following strict health & safety protocols to reduce the spread of Covid 19. Proof of vaccination will be required for entry to all performances, and masks are to be worn in all areas of the venue (except when actively eating or drinking).*These requirements may be adjusted at any time based on CDC guidelines.

To request press tickets for the first weekend, or to schedule an interview, contact Amy Gentry at amy@asiftheatre.com.

About director Cindy Giese French: Cindy, alongside her partners, Amy Gentry and Molly Hall, created As If Theatre Company in Kenmore in 2019. In her first years as Artistic Director she has overseen the production of 2 mainstage shows, a sold-out festival of short plays, and numerous workshops. Just prior to the pandemic she had directed Asylum in Georgia for Red Rover Theatre Company at West of Lenin and Kimberly Akimbo for As If Theatre Company. Cindy has performed throughout theaters in Seattle and the Northend such as Edmonds Driftwood Players, The Phoenix Theater, Woodinville Repertory, Annex Theater and most recently As If Theatre’s The Clean House, where she played Lane. Some of her favorite roles include Ruella in Communicating Doors, Sonia from Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Clown 2 in The 39 Steps, and Berthe in Boeing Boeing – winner of 2015 BroadwayWorld Seattle – Best Featured Actress in a Play (Local). Cindy has also written, directed and/or produced many plays, songs and musicals. Just Go!, the first musical she wrote and produced, was listed in the “Best of ’97” section by The Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Her goal is to affect people through art, to pull at their heartstrings, hit their funny bones, and open their minds to other ways of thinking for the greater good.

About As If Theatre Company: Passionate and dedicated, As If Theatre Company’s ultimate goal is to bring engaging, challenging, and entertaining theater to the community just north of Seattle. Performing at the historic Kenmore Community Club, the company was started by local theater artists, Cindy Giese French, Amy Gentry, and Molly Hall, who wanted to create an artistic home in the Northend. As If is grateful for the fiscal sponsorship of Arts of Kenmore.