Saying Pshaw to Poor Shaw Draw : Post-Production Hobnob

Cast and crew of George Bernard Shaw’s “Man and Superman” mingled with the opening-night audience Friday after the curtain dropped on South Coast Repertory’s three-hour-plus production. Shaw’s zinging dialogue rang out for about 400 patrons and 100 empty seats--the poor turnout was due to a scheduling clash with the black-tie party for the new Thomas F. Riley Terminal at John Wayne Airport. The post-show get-together was even less well attended. The 200 ticket-holders hanging around for the first half-hour had thinned to about 24 people by midnight. None of which fazed SCR Artistic Director Martin Benson, who directed the season-opening production. “If you asked me which one I’d rather see--(a) Shaw (play) or a new escalator--I know what I’d do,” Benson said, laughing.

Star and Superstar

Party buzz surrounded Marnie Mosiman and John de Lancie, who play the lead roles and who are married in real life. Mosiman--who has appeared in four previous SCR productions--said she accepted a real-life role as sidekick to her more widely recognized husband, a former soaper on “Days of Our Lives” and recurring character on TV’s “Star Trek, the Next Generation.” “I’ve gotten used to people pushing me aside to get to him,” the petite redhead joked. Among De Lancie’s fans Friday might was Betty Wasielewski of Westminster, who pressed in with a few kind words, then confessed, “He was one of my favorites (on ‘Days of Our Lives’). He played Eugene. I thought he was real cute.” Don Goodwin of Huntington Beach offered up his program for De Lancie’s autograph, while a crew member was heard to say, “John, I want you to meet my boyfriend--you already met my mother.”

Bar and Buffet

“First Nighters” were treated to a glass (or two, who’s counting?) of champagne before the show. At intermission, there was free apple juice, coffee and decaf. Post-show comestibles were sweet and sparse: chocolate-dipped strawberries and gourmet cookies were spread on a horseshoe-shaped buffet decorated with yellow roses. “I said I was hungry and someone said, ‘C’mon, let’s get some cookies!’ ” said Mosiman as she passed the buffet without so much as a glance en route to the courtyard. “I said: cookies? I’ve been working--I need food. “

Also Seen

John Stahr, president of the board of trustees, wished the audience a “Happy New Year” before the performance--new year referring to SCR’s fiscal calendar. Mary Hendrickson and Frank Foster--representing the Fieldstone Foundation, which underwrote the party--attended the show but skipped the mini-bash. Bonnie and Don Christeson of Corona del Mar chatted with Stephanie and James Moore of Irvine. The foursome reminisced about the “Tailgate Theater” shows--performed from the back of a pickup--put together by the nascent SCR company 25 years ago. Also munching cookies were Jean and Bill Wenke, Lea Vivante and Donald McKayle, Joanne and Steve De Naut, Ned Oliver, Kitty Schuler, Michael Roth, Peter Brosius, Jerry Patch and playwright Milcha Sanchez-Scott, whose play, “El Dorado,” will be performed later in the season.