Capital Stage’s move from the Delta King to the heart of Midtown, while a great deal of work, seems to have gone smoothly. The new theater certainly fulfills the part of Capital Stage’s mission about performing “in an intimate, close up setting.”

Capital Stage chose “Superior Donuts” by Tracy Letts to open its seventh season. It is the first in a theater designed by them to produce the type of shows they like to do. Letts is now best known for “August: Osage County” a major Broadway hit bigger than life in every way.

“Superior Donuts” tells the story of Arthur Przybyszewski a classic hippy from the 60s. Arthur now runs the rundown North Chicago donut shop inherited from his Polish emigrant parents. We see two months of his life: December 2009 and January 2010.

Arthur's life is coasting along, slowly but surely down hill. He comes to the namesake donut shop to find the police and the Russian emigrant that owns the store next door. Someone broke in during the night and vandalized the shop and tagged it. The Russian continually pressures Arthur to sell so that he can expand his business as an electronics mega store.

Into Arthur's life comes Franco, who, pulling the help wanted sign from the front window, insists that Arthur is going to hire him. After much persistence on Franco’s part, Arthur gives in. Little does he know how much this young man will change his life in a short period of time.

The wonderful Matt K Miller plays Arthur. It is always a great experience to watch Miller act and “Superior Donuts” is an excellent vehicle for him to work his craft. He is especially good in the soliloquies where the action in the play stops and Arthur reflects on his life.

Franco Wicks, a young black man from the neighborhood with a troubled not too distant past, is played by a terrific Jammy K. Bulaya. He is especially good in the very funny patter that goes on between Franco and Arthur. Franco to Arthur disparaging his hippy ways: “Let me tell you who looks good in a ponytail: girls----and ponies.”

Matt K. Miller as Arthur, Jammy K. Bulaya as Franco (Image by: Charr Crail)

Lady Boyle the alcoholic elderly street person rolls in and out of the donut shop on a daily basis. Capital Stage associate artist Janis Stevens who was so great as Maria Callas in last season’s “Master Class” at Cap Stage plays Lady who is not so drunk that she does’t have wry observations and pertinent comments to make.

Janis Stevens as Lady, Matt K. Miller as Arthur, Anthony D'Juan as James (Image by: Charr Crail)

Debuting at Cap Stage, Lori Russo plays Officer Randy Osteen who everyone except Arthur knows is stuck on Arthur. She is paired up on the beat with fellow officer James Bailey played by Sacramento actor, stage/film director and playwright Anthony D’Juan. Officer Bailey and his wife have a secret of their own.

Lori Russo as Randy, Matt K. Miller as Arthur, Jammy K. Bulaya as Franco (Image by: Charr Crail)

The Russian entrepreneur next door Max Tarasov is played by local actor Gary Pannullo with Jeffrey Lloyd Heatherly as his nephew Kiril Ivakin

Barry Hubbard plays the not so nice bookie Luther Flynn with Shane Edward Turner as his nasty enforcer.

Capital Stage artistic director Stephanie Gularte directs. She makes good use of the new theater space to strongly connect the actors and audience.

Producing director Jonathan Williams has created a set design that makes full use of the new space. Williams always creates great, interesting sets. Here audience members can feel like they are sitting at a table back in the corner of a real donut shop. He also co-ordinated the fight scenes.

Capital Stage is off to a great start at its new location. The new space opens up the possibility for an even stronger connection between the performers and the audience. “Superior Donuts” is a good choice for the premier show. It is very funny yet has lots to say to the audience. It is also written by someone who is being recognized as a major contributor to the American stage. The casting from revered veterans such as Matt K. Miller and Janis Stevens to bright new actors like Jammy K. Bulaya is a treat.

"Superior Donuts"  Capital Stage through November 13, 2011
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