The Second Show: Superior Donuts

The power of love and overcoming adversity are two of the most common themes in literature. But Tracy Letts masterfully crafts a story that gives a new spin to both themes in the play Superior Donuts, which is playing at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts until May 7, 2011. Superior Donuts tells the story of a middle aged Polish man, Arthur Przybyszewski, who owns a donut shop in Chicago. Arthur is behind the times in all aspects—clothes, hair, donut shop atmosphere—and he spends much of his time reminiscing about his past. When Arthur hires a young African American to work in the shop, he’s overwhelmed by the young man’s enthusiasm. With new ideas for a healthier menu, claims of writing the “great American novel”, and an excited (if not nosy) interest in Arthur’s life, the young man, Franco Wicks, leaps onto the scene of a fading donut shop—and Arthur’s dull life. Franco quickly starts digging into Arthur’s past and tries to help his future, and the two become closer despite the many differences between them. And then, when tragedy strikes, both Arthur and Franco learn about the bonds that love can bring, no matter the differences that separate people.

But beyond that, Superior Donuts really is an exploration of the human spirit. It details the lives of two very different people trying to live the American Dream. They both struggle against very different foes: Franco against the still-rampant racism against Blacks, and Arthur against the losses he’s suffered throughout his life. The play is witty and engaging, drawing the audience in to a clever, entertaining story with a deeper meaning than one would expect. The play explores the sacrifices we make for the ones we loves and the resilience that lies in us all. It truly shows the depth of our feelings and the optimism that we all should have.

Superior Donuts stars Mike Hartman as Arthur Przybyszewski, Sheldon Best as Franco Wicks, and several other talented actors and actresses. The entire cast shines in this powerful play, which plays at the Space Theater at DCPA until May 7. Tickets start at $10.00.

Cast:
Lady Boyle………………………………….…………Kathleen M. Brady*
Officer Randy Osteen…………………………........………Jeanne Paulsen*
Max Tarasov……………………………..…………………Robert Sicular*
Officer James Bailey…………………………............………Earl Baker Jr.*
Arthur Przybyszewski…………………………….…………Mike Hartman*
Franco Wicks…………………………...……………………Sheldon Best*
Luther Flynn……………………………………...……………John Hutton*
Kevin Magee…………………………………………...……Scott Thomas*
Kiril Ivakin……………………………………….....…Jeffrey Evan Thomas*

*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.