“Table 6,” now playing at Olive or Twist, sets a good example of brevity acting as the soul of wit. Its length is a bit over an hour, yet it deftly covers a lot of ground in that short time.

Written and directed by local playwright Rodney Smith of Different Strokes Performing Collective, it centers on an engagement party held in a restaurant. That it is performed in an actual restaurant makes for a pleasing fit.

The characters include the bride-to-be, her best friend, her boss and her hyper-critical mother. But nobody is really who they seem to be on the surface. As the story rolls merrily along through many funny quips and clever word plays, every person is revealed, to the surprise of the others and also to the audience, to be quite different from what first impressions have suggested.

Carrie, the engaged girl, is the exception. Instead of revealing herself, something is revealed to her that changes the course of her life. Lauren Rivas plays the part with a sweet naivete that suits her character. By the end, she shows us that Carrie has changed and is now able to step up to reality.

Candi, Carrie’s best friend, vibrantly played by Kirby Gibbons, is a stripper who leads a shocking double life. Carrie’s boss, a successful divorce attorney with a big secret, is played by Tracey Johnston-Crum. She gets so drunk during the party that she ends up passed out on the floor.

The mother, portrayed by Cary Nichols, constantly spouts off about how her daughter can’t do anything right. She is also a bigot. When she rants about the rising visibility of gays in the world, she angrily declares that “any day Elton John’s going to be President of the United States.”

She so enrages the gay, food savvy waiter, played by Paul Gallaher, that he lights into her and effectively shuts her up. This scene serves as a crucial turning point in the play and needs to be played with much greater force than it was on opening night.

We also need to hear more from the mother on the impact this scene has upon her. A few telling lines would help.

The Brooklyn born maitre d’ who affects a snooty French accent to impress customers is played by Allison Tippins. She both opens and closes the show.

If you’re looking for a fun evening with food, drink and drama, you won’t be disappointed. You can also see the show without buying dinner, so take your choice. Either way you’ll enjoy yourself.


What: “Table 6: The Fancy Prawn Edition” by Different Strokes Performing Arts Collective. Contains some adult language and themes; discretion is advised.

When: 7 p.m. Feb. 15, 20, 21 and 22. Dinner seating begins at 6 p.m.

Where: Olive Or Twist, 81 Broadway St., Asheville.

Tickets: $15 show only; $35 show and dinner. Visit

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