STAGE REVIEW : ‘Eat Your Heart Out!’ a Pleasant Diversion

The main character in Nick Hall’s “Eat Your Heart Out!,” now at the Way Off Broadway theater, is an unemployed New York actor waiting for his “big break.”

In this old-hat premise, Charlie does what many actors do when not joining the long lines at auditions--he waits on tables at various Manhattan restaurants, from the snobby and swank to the ordinary and unostentatious.

He, of course, meets all sorts of odd New York types and becomes involved in their lives, if only tangentially.

Hall’s comedy is meant to get us equally involved in all the goings-on, especially with Charlie and his travails. We’re supposed to feel close to him as he stumbles through this exotic urban landscape.

“Eat Your Heart Out!” is, at best, only a diversion, but director Dave Judy’s cast does play with it, minimizing much of its predictability. There aren’t any surprises here, but this production is a pleasant enough visit.

Tony Reverditto as Charlie has center stage most of the time, and he provides some nice moments. His Charlie is a sensitive guy with only a trace of cynicism and suspicion of what’s happening all around him. He’s likable, even when complaining about the pretentiousness of the eateries (Clandestination, Tintintabulation) he works for.

He’s especially sweet when dealing with Doris, a cute but neurotic Manhattanite he runs into while waitering at Ici Persone Ne Parle Francais (rough translation: No One Speaks French Here). She’s about to marry some guy who’s wrong for her. Charlie steps in, their eyes meet, and you can guess the rest.

Vicky Dawson is rather good as Doris, giving her a quirkiness that has the audience watching her over the other actors whenever she’s on stage. She’s also interesting in a briefer role as a Lower Westside bohemian type who comes into one of the restaurants for coffee.

In other supporting roles, Dave Morris and Carole Cooney are able as a middle-aged couple having the marriage blues, and Ron McCaw excels in a handful of weird portrayals. He tends to go over the wall--like when his urban cowboy does too much physical comedy at a late-night diner--but still shows natural talent.

‘EAT YOUR HEART OUT!’

A Way Off Broadway production of Nick Hall’s comedy. Directed by Dave Judy. With Tony Reverditto, Vicky Dawson, Dave Morris, Carole Cooney and Ron McCaw. Set, lighting and sound by Del DePierro and Clint Gregory. Makeup by Margaux Lancaster and Paul Thompson. Plays Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. through Jan. 13 at 1058 E. 1st St., Santa Ana. Tickets: $10 ($1 off with donation of one can of food). Information: (714) 547-8997.