Cast & Creative Team Announcement for “The Cake”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2026

Media Contact:

Coburn Goss, Artistic Director

cgoss@argentatheatre.org

501-353-1443

ARKANSAS FAVORITE NATALIE CANERDAY MAKES ARGENTA CONTEMPORARY THEATRE DEBUT IN THE CAKE

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Argenta Contemporary Theatre (ACT) is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of The Cake by playwright Bekah Brunstetter (TV’s This is Us).

Leading the cast in her ACT debut is Arkansas favorite Natalie Canerday as Della, a celebrated North Carolina baker whose carefully ordered life is upended by an unexpected request from someone she loves. Filled with laughter, warmth, and heart, The Cake is a hilarious and deeply human comedy about friendship, change, and finding connection in an increasingly complicated world. Please note: this play contains adult themes and language.

A native of Russellville and graduate of Hendrix College, Canerday has appeared in more than 50 films, including Sling Blade, October Sky, One False Move, and the highly anticipated Jeff Nichols film King Snake. She has also performed in more than 100 stage productions throughout her distinguished career, earning a reputation as one of Arkansas’s most beloved and accomplished actors.

The production marks the ACT directorial debut of Heather Dupree, one of Central Arkansas’s most respected theatre artists and educators.

“The Cake is a funny, compassionate play about people doing their best to navigate a changing world while holding onto the relationships that matter most,” said Dupree. “At its core, it’s a comedy about love, friendship, and the courage to take small steps toward understanding one another. I fell in love with these characters immediately and can’t wait to share them with audiences.”

Joining Canerday are Jeff Bailey as Tim, LeAnne Roberson as Jen, Melody Small as Macy, and Brandon Paul Eells as the voice.

Performances will take place at ACT II – The Sharon Heflin Performing Arts Center, located at 315B Main Street in North Little Rock.

Preview performances will be held July 8 and 9, with opening night on Friday, July 10. The production runs through Sunday, July 26.

Tickets range from $25 to $60 and are available at argentacontemporarytheatre.org.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Preview Performances

Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Opening Night: Media & Press Night

Friday, July 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Additional Performances

Saturday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, July 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 25 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 26 at 2:00 p.m.

CAST

Della — Natalie Canerday

Tim — Jeff Bailey

Jen — LeAnne Roberson

Macy — Melody Small

Voice — Brandon Paul Eells

CREATIVE TEAM

Director — Heather Dupree

Scenic & Lighting Design — Danny Grace

Costume Design — Emily Inman

Sound Design — Thomas Drake

Properties Design — Lauren Nicholas

Stage Manager — Jazmine Denney

Coburn Goss — Artistic Director

Jeremy Williams — Executive Director

About Argenta Contemporary Theatre

ACT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing and advancing the performing arts through performance, education, and community collaboration. We recognize that today’s artists operate in a culturally diverse and technologically evolving environment, and ACT is committed to promoting and presenting work that reflects these dynamic conditions at both our mainstage theater and education center.