TOM TITUS -- Theater Review

Playwrights, over the years, have delved into their own back yard, the

world of the theater, for some of the more memorable comedies and dramas.

None was more proficient at this art than Moss Hart, who penned “Light

Up the Sky” more than a half-century ago.

Hart, dipping his pen into the satirical inkwell, created a world of

backstage fawning and squabbling inspired by the show business folk he

encountered while teaming with George S. Kaufman to create “You Can’t

Take It With You” and “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” His formula was

simple but effective -- take the basic character types (star, director,

producer, etc.) and expand on their perceived idiosyncrasies and

shallowness to create delicious stereotypes who would make most actors’

mouths water.

The result was a play destined to be a community theater staple for

decades. Its latest incarnation is on view at the Newport Theater Arts

Center, where three actresses are taking Hart’s caricatures and fleshing

them out to superlative comic dimensions under the imaginative direction

of Michael Ross.

Beverly Turner takes the biggest bite out of the primary role of

Broadway diva Irene Livingston, who never ceases performing, whether the

venue be a stage or her hotel room. Turner projects the ingrained

artificiality of her character beautifully and her timing is first rate.

Portraying her mother, a tough old broad in a tough business, is the

veteran Betty Motsinger, whose gravely, Bea Arthurish tones richly define

her no-nonsense character. The role of Stella could well have been

written for her, were it not for the play’s vintage.

A complete delight as the flashy, ice skating wife of the play’s

producer is Kerri Vickers, employing a chirpy, choked-up vocal tone for

additional effect. Vickers glides through her role with a beautifully

projected aura of style and nuance.

Less effective are the men in the principle roles, with the notable

exception of Stan Wlasick as the overemotional director who “cries at

card tricks.” Wlasick, returning to the stage after a lengthy absence,

captures every exaggerated quirk of this extremely quirky character in a

beautifully stylized interpretation.

Thom Gilbert as the powerhouse producer eventually discovers the raw

meat in his role by the third act, but more emphatic character definition

is required in the earlier scenes to pave the way for this wheeling and

dealing. Greg Stich offers a bland portrayal of the novice playwright,

missing his chance to take the upper hand convincingly in the latter

moments.

Peter Stone is smooth and sophisticated as the elder playwright,

rendering one of the few chords of “real world” sanity, along with Gigi

Fusco Meese, who plays the candy-nibbling ghost writer.

Middle America is represented somewhat awkwardly in the form of D.

Scott Rittiman as a Shriner itching to sink his money into the theater.

Director Ross has remained faithful to the play by setting it in its

original 1948 time period, and costume designer Donna Fritsche obliges

with some stunning outfits of the period. The hotel suite setting by

Terri Miller Schmidt exudes a ritzy elegance, and the intermittent

strains of “Kiss Me, Kate” -- which was running on Broadway at the time

“Light Up the Sky” was born -- further authenticate the production.

Even audiences overly familiar with this show will find it difficult

to suppress a chuckle at the aggravated antics -- particularly those

instigated by Turner, Motsinger and Vickers -- on the Newport stage.

There’s still a good deal of life in this hardy perennial of a comedy.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

WHAT: “Light Up the Sky”

WHERE: Newport Theater Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays until

April 29

COST: $13

TICKETS: (949) 631-0288