THEATER REVIEW ‘MIXED DOUBLES’ : Right Combination : Actors mix up the roles, playing different characters on different nights.

“Mixed Doubles” is a smart, sharp sextet of scenes by writers Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor. It is an assemblage of two of the couple’s larger works, “Lovers & Other Strangers” and “Bedrooms.”

Each of those works deals with romance as seen from different perspectives. Those who remember the old anthology TV series “Love, American Style” will recognize the format, if not the material.

Presenting the playlets, after a meal of Tony Roma’s chicken and ribs, the S.A.V.E. Theatre Company has perhaps hit its stride as a Simi Valley dinner theater.

In an adventurous move not called for by the authors, S.A.V.E. (Stage and Video Educational) directors David Newcomer and Grant Tomerlin have cast only four actors in the plays’ 15 roles. The characters range in age from their 20s to their 80s.

As if that weren’t enough of a challenge, each actor had to learn all of the male or female parts, because role assignments are determined by lottery before each show.

Co-stars are Sid Haig, Kathy Meadows, Rusty Perry and Julie Jones. Haig dominated every scene in which he appeared at Friday’s opening. Of course, the tall, thin and angular actor would tend to stand out in a crowd even if he didn’t shave his head and wear a goatee, and the luck of the draw placed him in several of the meatier roles that night.

Perry’s performances were more subtle (dialects seem to be among his specialties; projection is not), and he was very good in scenes where he was the leading character.

Whether it was because the women’s parts are relatively underwritten or because Meadows and Jones are so evenly matched as actors, neither particularly stood out Friday. Both were excellent in a variety of situations.

Opening night was impressively smooth, with flawless timing and nary a flub. The show is being held in an upstairs banquet room at the Simi Valley Tony Roma’s and the restaurant’s management seems unusually eager to please.

Keep in mind that, while the combinations on the stage are likely be quite different each night, the entrees on the menu will remain the same.

* WHERE AND WHEN

“Mixed Doubles” continues through April 26 at Tony Roma’s, 2525 Stow St., in Simi Valley. Dinner is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and 5 p.m. Sunday, with the performance following. There are no shows on Saturdays or on Easter Sunday. Admission is $20, which includes the table d’hote dinner. A vegetarian plate is available, and there is a full cash bar. Tickets must be purchased in advance, at Tony Roma’s or at the Ken’s Stationers stores at 1291 Los Angeles Ave. or 2256 Tapo St. For further information, call 527-7071.