DelikateSSen at The Adobe Theater

DelikateSSen, written by local playwright and theater producer Richard Atkins and directed by Cheryl Atkins, is making its world premiere at The Adobe Theater. In this new play, two brothers, orphans of the Holocaust, own a struggling Jewish delicatessen in New York City circa 1972. Not long after the play begins, we hear of a new, larger German deli preparing to open across the street. The play follows the intense friction between both Jewish and German factions and how that struggle profoundly affects the next generation, culminating in an inescapable, yet dramatic climax. Scott Claunch and Richard Atkins perform the roles of the two brothers, amongst an outstanding cast of thespians: Georgia Athearn, David and Marteena Bentley, Joel D. Miller, Ray Orley, Eliot Stenzel, and Sharon Sprague.

Richard Atkins’ previous production at The Adobe in 2012 was The Men of Mah Jongg (which also featured Scott Claunch and Ray Orley) which he also wrote and directed. Being a playwright, actor, director, composer and pianist has been his trademark. From being one of Guy Lombardo’s twin pianists back in the 70’s to playing piano at Howard Stern’s daughter’s Bat Mitzvah party, Atkins has seen, and mostly, done it all. Once again, Mark Medoff (best known as a writer who received a Tony Award for Children of a Lesser God and an Academy Award for the film script) is supporting Richard as Dramaturg.