DINNER SERVED WITH
PLENTY OF ANGST

An intimate staging and an excellent
five-person cast make this unsettling
dinner party worth attending

Like restaurants, new theatre companies come – and most times go. The most recent company in the desert, Inspiration’s Edge, is actually centered in the Joshua Tree/29 Palms area. A couple of months ago they presented their initial production, Late Company, by Jordan Tannahill. An encore performance arrives this weekend at Revolution Stage Company in Palm Springs. I’m a little anxious that this show from a small performance space might not transfer to a large proscenium stage, but the company was certainly so good that plan to see the show again.

I caught the show in the function room of Snake Bite Roadhouse, which appeared to be a biker bar, certainly not unique in Joshua Tree. Kewl. Some pretty gnarly dudes were strutting in the front door as the theatre crowd entered the rear. They certainly had my attention.

Late Company pits a married couple who have recently lost their teenage son to suicide against the parents of the boy who bullied their son into killing himself. The first parents have invited the other parents to their home to discuss the issue over dinner. The big difference between this story and God of Carnage is that the teenage bully/son actually accompanies his parents.

First of all, I simply loved that it was staged in a big boxy function room. Before the show, the director, Liyan McNeltier, explained that Inspiration’s Edge is performing in “found spaces.” The venue they chose for this initial production allowed them to place a large round dining table in the middle of the room with half the audience on one side and the other half on the opposite side. That really offered the audience a “fly on the wall” perspective since no seat was more than four or five rows from the action (at Revolution, viewers will also be placed on the stage).

The five-person cast was uniformly excellent and that level of excellence always suggests a very competent director, in this case Ms. McNeltier. The hosting couple were played by Graham Cooley and Valley favorite Rebecca McWilliams. The visiting couple were Bianca Stoker and Gariel Figueredo (who doubled as set designer). The real surprise of the evening was Alon Evans, the truculent son who had bullied the boy who killed himself. He makes it plain that he would rather be anywhere else on earth than at this dining table. However, he really blossoms forth in the second half and we discover that possibly his behavior with the deceased boy might not have been the real problem. Though it might not hit the heights of George and Martha, the ending of the dinner party is impactful. I urge you to hold on. There are surprises in store.

So far, Inspiration’s Edge seems to be doing the right thing. They have succeeded in getting 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, a feat I am told is very difficult. They also assembled some very solid actors and technicians and in truth, a building does not a theatre company make. And their opening gambit was very good indeed.

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photos courtesy of Inspiration’s Edge

Late Company
Inspiration’s Edge
Snake Bite Roadhouse, 55405 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley
played April 12 and 13, 2026
for more info, visit Inspiration’s Edge

encore performance: June 6 at 7
Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs
for tickets, visit Revolution

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