Knock knock! Steve’s home for his monthly dinner with his folks, except he’s never quite sure what he’s going to walk into when he opens the door. An autobiographical journey though an exceptionally formative year in the life of playwright Steve Ross, 12 Dinners shies away from nothing in its examination of both Ross and his parents. Directed by Jan Alexandra Smith, this moving dining room drama will leave you with tears in your eyes but also a smile on your face.

I need to start with the casting of Ben Skipper as Steve. I’ve been watching Steve Ross on stage at the Stratford Festival for as long as I can remember. 2024 is Steve’s 21st season as an artist there as well as my 21st as an audience member. When Ben Skipper walked on stage, I thought they had somehow put Steve Ross in a time machine; the resemblance is uncanny to say the least. Everything from his voice, movements, the cheeky repartee with the audience, he IS Steve Ross. It was mesmerizing, and yet I could also feel like I was getting to know Skipper in his own right as well. He’s an exceptional performer, keeps the audience on board with him the whole time, and expertly guides us through the more intense moments of the production.

Jane Spidell and Geoffrey Pounsett star alongside Skipper as Steve’s parents Bettye and Jim. Spidell’s performance is chilling, with her moods changing as quickly as the scenes and like Steve, we’re not sure which version of Bettye will be greeting us either. Pounsett gives a nuanced and complex performance, as Jim must consistently navigate the mine-field of his life. The two of them would frequently be stuck in tableau while Steve addresses the audience, and it was marvellous to watch them come in and out of it so seamlessly.

12 Dinners takes an in depth, and realistic, look at mental health issues, particularly in regards to generational trauma. We see how Bettye’s unwillingness to manage her own mental health takes a toll on everyone around her. And while she feels guilty for passing her depression onto Steve, we see how he’s actively taking steps towards his own healing as well as the healing of others through his job. Breaking generational cycles of trauma is difficult; making that decision to move forward with your own healing takes a lot of courage. However, through Bettye we see how the pressures and stigmas from previous generations, and their lack of understanding about their mental health, can still weigh us down and convince us not to do the work on ourselves we need.

Darren Burkett’s set design is perfect in its subtlety; you have been in this dining room whether it was your parent’s, grandparent’s, family’s, or neighbours, there is something immediately familiar about the great wooden table and neutral toned adornments. Monique Lund’s costume design likewise felt cozy and impeccably suited the characters. Once again, it was a joy to be out under the tent to experience this story; you can’t help but feel like you also have a seat at the table with this intimate setting.

12 Dinners has a special place in my heart; I feel like I was able to learn so much about an artist I admire, his life, but also a little about myself as well. Running until July 27th (but will hopefully get extended), you won’t want to miss this heartfelt story about family, love, and forging your own path. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.herefornowtheatre.com/12dinners

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Cover Photo: Geoffrey Pounsett, Jane Spidell, and Ben Skipper. Photo by Ann Baggley.

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