STAGE REVIEW : NORTH REP’S ‘TORCH SONG’ A TRIUMPH

In 1982, Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song Trilogy” startled Broadway audiences with its witty, unabashed evocation of the life and loves of a drag queen.

What audiences soon discovered was that there was no greater proponent for faithful love in a faithless world than Arnold Beckoff, the sassy, funny torch singer in lipstick and earrings.

The show won a Tony for itself in 1983 and one for Fierstein as Beckoff. Fierstein, in fact, was so good as the vulnerable, wisecracking romantic, that the biggest question in the show’s ability to travel rests on whether an actor with enough charisma can be found to carry off the part.

Not to fear. In the San Diego County premiere of the show at the North Coast Repertory Theatre playing through Oct. 11, Tim Irving does a creditable job in this demanding role. His Arnold may not have quite the passion and fire of Fierstein’s--but he warms up. More importantly, he holds the essential dignity of the character intact.

Under Andrew Barnicle’s sensitive direction, the fine cast works together with smooth and witty conviviality, making nearly four hours fly by almost unnoticed. Mark Robertson shines as Arnold’s first heartbreaking love, the waffling, bisexual schoolteacher, Ed. What makes his performance so winning is the palpable, boyish charm that helps explain why Arnold, against all his best interests, can’t seem to fall out of love with him.

Gerard Gravellese, as Arnold’s adopted son, David, is another pleasure, rapier-quick in his delivery and, in a rather raunchy twist to “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father,” disarmingly eager to find an eligible man for his single parent to sleep with.

As Arnold’s feisty Jewish mother, Diane Thrasher starts off slowly, then builds to a strong, impressive peak. The very character of Mrs. Beckoff, who is determined to pretend that one day her son will give up all this homosexual nonsense and get married, shows off the strength of Fierstein’s writing. Even though she gives Arnold grief--and by this time the audience is firmly on Arnold’s side--she never stops being sympathetic. In this play there are no baddies; you root for everybody, even the people who hurt the other people you’re rooting for.

Liz Backenstow is touching as Ed’s confused and hurting Other Woman; Bryan James Rowe is appealing as Arnold’s hopeful Other Man. Mimi Smythe strikes a nice blue mood as the torch singer whose songs like “Good Morning Heartache” punctuate the action of the first act.

As originally written, the three acts of “Torch Song” were separate plays, which played off-Broadway in 1978 and 1979 before being assembled for their 1982 Broadway run. (Fierstein later went on to write the book for the wildly successful Jerry Herman musical, “La Cage Aux Folles.”)

The sets by Jeff Thomson nicely establish the acts’ different atmospheres, from the International Stud bar where Ed and Arnold first meet to Arnold’s apartment and, in between, to the giant, full-stage bed which metaphorically rather than literally suggests how uncomfortably close Arnold and his new love, and Ed and his new love feel about the oh-so-civilized way they are trying to get together and be friends.

The lighting by Thomson and Barnicle works nicely as do Pam Stompoli’s costumes.

Don’t expect any mention of AIDS here; this show was written before the scare. It’s actually a nice omission that highlights Arnold’s abhorrence of promiscuity as coming from no other reason than his desire for the same kind of long lasting relationship his parents had--with, he notes, “a few minor alterations.”

While there are some quite suggestive scenes in “Torch,” none of them are gratuitous. Indeed, the only truly unfortunate moment occurs when the singularly unmusical Irving is called upon to sing an original tune written for this show by Charles Creasy. This short, painful number is the only false note in an otherwise wonderfully appealing and life affirming show.

“TORCH SONG TRILOGY”

By Harvey Fierstein. Director is Andrew Barnicle. Technical director is Leslee Baren. Sets by Jeff Thomson. Lighting by Andrew Barnicle and Jeff Thomson. Sound by Marvin Read. Costumes by Pam Stompoli. Musical director is David Brannen. With Mimi Smythe, Tim Irving, Mark Robertson, Liz Backenstow, Bryan James Rowe, Gerard Gravellese and Diane Thrasher. At 8 p.m. Thursday--Saturday and 7 p.m. Sundays with matinees Sept. 20 and Oct. 11 at 2. Closes Oct. 11. At the North Coast Repertory Theatre, 971 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach.