STAGE REVIEW : ‘Critic’s Choice’ a Chestnut That’s Drier Than Need Be : Comedy: The rather subdued characters in this 1960s play update it by discussing ‘The Simpsons’ and using a cordless phone.

“Critic’s Choice,” first produced in 1960, is what is politely termed a chestnut, a play whose meat, albeit dry, is yet unspoiled. The San Clemente Community Theater production, although a drier nut than need be, still holds its audience on the strength of Ira Levin’s well-made comedy.

Parker Ballantine (Ron Lance) is the leading drama critic for a prestigious New York City newspaper. His second wife, Angela (Daneen), is a dedicated homemaker. They are childless despite their efforts to conceive, although living with them is Parker’s gingersnap of a daughter by his first marriage. They thrive in urban contentment -- until Angela decides to write a play.

Of course, it’s a bad play, an amateur ‘ s play, which Parker fights with all the acerbic wit and cutting innuendo in his formidable armory.

Somehow, though, Angela’s play makes it to a full-fledged Broadway production and the ultimate gauntlet is thrown: will Parker officially review the play? (Never mind that in the real world this whole turning point would be rendered moot, since no major newspaper would ever send an arts critic to review a work by a family member. Suffice it to say that Levin does, at least, address the conflict-of-interest issue.)

Director B.J. Scott has drained the production of invective, so the comic nastiness that’s supposed to build to the climactic domestic explosion isn’t enough to fuel even a loud door slam . But Lance cuts loose a little during his drunk scene, where he seems to have felt less compunction to be so insufferably nice, and the heat rises a few degrees thereafter.

As the precocious child, Mary Fraser has the natural charm of extreme youth (and some of the elocutionary failings as well.)

In an attempt to update the play, the actors talk about watching “The Simpsons,” and they use a cordless phone. There is nothing 1990s about the play’s coda, however, which would have been hissed by feminists as early as 1970.

The dialogue suggests broadly that, having gotten this independent, creative thing out of her system, Angela will return to domestic bliss fulfilled, relaxed and, consequently, able to conceive. No amount of space-age set dressing can bring that happy ending in line with modern times.

‘CRITIC’S CHOICE’

A San Clemente Community Theater production of the Ira Levin comedy/drama. Directed by B.J. Scott. With Ron Lance, Daneen, Mary Fraser, Floyd Harden, Penny Radcliffe, Kerene Barnard. Set designs: B.J. Scott and Diane Green. Costumes: Diane Green. Lighting and sound: Randy W. Horton. At the Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Cabrillo Ave., San Clemente. Performances Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee Jan. 20. Through Jan. 26. Tickets: $10. (714) 492-0465.