STAGE REVIEW : ‘Opal’ Is Harmless but Ultimately Unlovable : The Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse production of John Patrick’s comedy proves that it’s not very funny watching three losers try to kill a nice old lady.

The Opal in John Patrick’s “Everybody Loves Opal” is an elderly eccentric who spends her time looking for discarded junk and worrying about her cat. Opal seems to be doing just fine, gabbing to herself and filling up her dilapidated home with trash, until a trio of small-potatoes crooks shows up.

At this point in “Everybody Loves Opal,” playing at the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse through June 28, Patrick’s comedy of errors reveals how lunkheaded it is. The criminals (on the lam for selling counterfeit perfume!) gab their way into Opal’s home, take out an insurance policy, then try to bump her off.

Of course, things don’t work out, and the audience has to endure one fouled-up murder attempt after another. Is it funny watching three losers try to kill a nice old lady? Not very.

Patrick, who wrote one big hit, “Teahouse of the August Moon,” back in 1953, tries to make everything a little cozier as the show lurches into the second act. The crooks eventually fall for Opal’s cockeyed charm, but there’s not much humor or good vibes found in these developments either.

Director Gregory Cohen realizes that “Everybody Loves Opal” is essentially slapstick nonsense and doesn’t mind going for the sight gags. Set designer Marty Eckman’s roof caves in late in the first act and, though it’s not used primarily for laughs, it is impressive for such a small theater. But these are repetitive. How many times can that joke about the tea bags be used?

Patrick probably envisioned his comedy as contemporary Kaufman and Hart, but it lacks the screwball sophistication or elevated writing of really good American farce.

The actors (Karen Jackman as Opal and Janet Lee, John DeSotelle and Joshua Kaye as the crooks) do the expected for these kinds of shows--mainly play it big and loose. They aren’t bad amateur performances, just predictable. Only DeSotelle as the nastiest of the baddies exhibits flashes of cunning.

‘Everybody Loves Opal’

A Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse production of John Patrick’s comedy. Directed by Gregory Cohen. With Karen Jackman, Janet Lee, John DeSotelle, Joshua Kaye, Tim Bercovitz and Martin Henke. Set by Marty Eckman. Lighting by Mark Andrew. Plays Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. through June 28 at 661 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa. $8.50 and $9.50. (714) 650-5269.