French Cupcakes by Neal Learner is a fluffy, engaging, world-premiere musical about allowing ourselves to dream and the reality when those dreams just don’t come true. The story is set in a midwestern college town, where French café owner Pierre, played with aplomb by Aref Dajani, dreamed of introducing Americans to delish French baguettes to replace the pasty white stuff they call bread. The years have taken a toll on his quaint shop to the point that he’s forced to sell his beloved bakery. But to whom? Well-heeled Dana Miller, played with steely-eyed focus by Cathy McCoskey, is ready to offer a mega-buck corporate franchise, while a young, aggressive MBA upstart, Bridget Anderson, played assuredly by Brett Jordan, promises even higher revenue options without succumbing to the “Big Bean” hierarchy.
Daughter Tina, played with earnest appeal by Camilla Wilbraham, functions as the café manager but only temporarily while she anxiously hopes to (finally) pass her graduate exams to become an international policy ambassador. Apollo Yong is a standout as Nick Butler, a wannabe-famous country music singer-songwriter awaiting reviews for his debut album. Both have to face the music when their hopes and dreams are dashed. While his rejection letter is hilarious, Nick takes the news in stride and discovers hidden gifts and talents when Tina needs some emergency assistance, and he ends up baking delicious croissants. The showdown of what happens to the bakery includes a tantalizing tango, “I Want You,” with Dana and Bridgett literally pulling at Pierre to make a decision. His choice and results play out in the second act, where the characters make peace with the circumstances they’re in instead of flinging headlong into turmoil and despair. The music and songs help ease the disappointment, along with a love interest that develops along the way.
Director Michael Fowle keeps the cast of over 20 performers moving comfortably along the stage, and the trio of Frenchie-style baristas is a hoot (Maureen Freshour, Catherine Taylor, and Maria Getahun). They welcome the audience and open the production with cell phone notices and emergency exits, then shimmy along the entire show offering commentary and reactions like an animated chorus. With French berets and black-and-white striped tops (neat costuming by Carole Glover), they swerve and sway and even bust out in a can-can or two with zest.
The ensemble fills the café with customers, stands in line for service, and even takes on a triangular Les Misérables resistance formation extolling Vivé La French Cupcakes. The set design by Lynne and Grant Wagner and Leah Nadelman uses movers in white hard hats at intermission to convert the cozy, cluttered though homey café into a pristine white, streamlined corner spot. Customers fill the joint that’s finally making more revenue, but the gloomy baristas indicate that money isn’t everything. Nick and Tina make new dreams come true as reflected in their musical numbers — “When Something Special Comes Along” and “Let’s Make This Our Own” — with new approaches, possibilities, and opportunities for all.
Musicians Paul Rossen on piano and keyboard and Chip Carvell on guitar blend beautifully with Taha Pulvamacher’s enchanting violin.
Per the director: French Cupcakes “is a reminder that dreams are not fixed destinations. Sometimes they falter, sometimes they shift, and sometimes they surprise us by leading somewhere even sweeter than we imagined.”
French Cupcakes is written, directed, and performed with charm, panache, and a good deal of whimsy for a chucklingly good time.
Running Time: Two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
French Cupcakes plays October 17–19, 2025, presented by Bethesda Little Theatre, at the Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St, Bethesda, MD. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:30 PM. Tickets are $28 general admission ($22 for senior citizens and military servicemembers and $18 for children 12 and under) and available by e-mail (bethesdalittletheatre@gmail.com), by phone (202-796-3431), or online.
Credits for the cast, creative team, and crew are here.
French Cupcakes
By Neal Learner
Director: Michael Fowle
Music Director: Paul Rossen
Choreographer: Catherine Oh
SEE ALSO:
‘French Cupcakes’ is on the menu at Bethesda Little Theatre (preview by Kaitlyn Gibbens, October 10, 2025)
