Welcome to Matteson is being performed at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater through March 29, 2025. Written by Inda Craig-Galván, the show is a welcome dinner for a couple who just moved to the suburb of Matteson from the Cabrini projects in Chicago. The Cabrini projects are notorious for crime Regina and Cory Baker (Kerri Hollingsworth and Walter Riddle) make clear that there are also many positive aspects to the community from which they came.
Throwing the welcome party are Patricia and Gerald Griffith (Danja Le’Chelle’ and Christopher James Murry.) Gerald and Cory hit it off talking abut water heaters and plumbing and it turns out they came from very similar backgrounds.
Patricia is it turns out was a resentful host since she didn’t really want to see people from the projects settling in her neighborhood. Regina was taking communications courses and she and Patricia definitely didn’t get along. If anything can go wrong with a welcome dinner party, it does, although there are moments of absolute playful joy. The couples are trapped in their perceived places in the social class structure. I had read the script when I was working on the poster for the show, by the performances from this stellar cast truly brought the show to life. I love getting to see the seed which germinates into a stellar production.
The play was playful and fun while also having moments that are absolutely shocking. The audience would actually gasp. I would highly advise you get your tickets and see it for yourself.