THEATER REVIEW: Don’t talk to — but laugh at — the actors

A Polish playwright from Buffalo gets his first play produced on Broadway. What to do for an encore? How about a play about a Polish playwright from Buffalo getting his first play produced on Broadway?

This, in essence, is the back story of “Don’t Talk to the Actors,” Tom Dudzick’s semi-autobiographical comedy now enjoying its West Coast premiere in a marvelously affecting production at the Laguna Playhouse.

Dudzick used the basic framework of his New York experience with the comedy “Greetings” to concoct this latest venture, which bears more than a passing resemblance to “Light Up the Sky,” Moss Hart’s vintage zinger about a new play’s first tryout in Boston.

In “Don’t Talk to the Actors,” the young Buffalo playwright (Chris L. McKenna) and his comely fiancee (Emily Eiden) arrive at a Manhattan rehearsal hall where his autobiographical play is about to take flight with its two-character cast.

The director (Joel Polis), imported from Chicago and continually grousing about New York prices, and his super-efficient, obsessive Brit stage manager (Denise Moses) provide some fine background humor, but the play’s two actors (Steve Vinovich and Eileen T’Kaye) understandably have the meatier moments.

Throw into a circumstance in which the playwright’s fiancee has been nuts about the aging actor since childhood and you’ve got a pretty incendiary situation going in. The Laguna cast simply tosses gasoline on the smoldering passions with hilarious results.

Under the crisp, focused direction of Rick Sparks, “Don’t Talk to the Actors” will tickle the socks off anyone who’s ever been in theater on any level. And in at least two cases, there is some exceptional work being done.

Vinovich, as the egocentric uncured ham actor, has the showiest role and his task is to keep the character likeable and believable, even while strutting, posing and becoming a perfect heel. This the veteran actor accomplishes superbly in a richly layered performance.

The other shining light is Eiden as the fawning neophyte thrust in way over her head and flailing hilariously as she attempts to suppress her adoration for Vinovich’s character. When her passion finally erupts, one can almost visualize the stars, hearts and flowers floating around them.

McKenna in the lone “straight role” of the young playwright turns in a credible performance, particularly late in the play when he submits to the temptation of rewriting his script to bolster the actor’s opportunities for scenery chewing. Polis combines the best of both worlds “” the theatrical and the ordinary “” as the frustrated director in constant telephonic touch with the unseen producer who is, in essence, the play’s seventh character.

Moses is richly rewarding in a lower key, squabbling with her boyfriend on her cellphone. And T’Kaye hits the stage running, overplaying and singing a bawdy song to the tune of “Bye Bye, Blackbird” as she attempts to spice up the proceedings.

“Don’t Talk to the Actors” makes the most out of the playwright’s previous experiences in a similar situation and shares with the audience a glimpse into the inner workings of the theater. The play tickles the funny bone while plucking the heart strings.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “Don’t Talk to the Actors”

WHERE: Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays until Oct. 12

COST: $25 to $65

CALL: (949) 497-0787

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.