Irvine Community Theatre Shows Too Little Emotion in Its ‘Tribute’ : Stage: Inferior set design and lighting add to the problems of the presentation of Bernard Slade’s story--a sort of behind-the-scenes look at one man’s life struggle.

Bernard Slade has a friend he really wants you to meet, a guy named Scottie Templeton. He’s the central character of Slade’s play “Tribute,” the current production of the Irvine Community Theatre.

The tribute of the title is an actual testimonial, a celebration honoring Scottie’s birthday, at which the other characters (and ultimately the audience) are assembled.

The bulk of the story, however, takes place in the recent past and is presented as a kind of behind-the-scenes look at Scottie’s Struggle With Life, the troublesome side of which is personified by his affection-hungry but disaffected adult son, Jud.

The marriage of the testimonial to the family drama allows Slade’s characters to stand forth and tell the audience just what a great guy Scottie is. Certainly, this structural conceit makes the role of Scottie one in which it is nigh impossible to be disliked.

Tom Titus plays the role in a flat monotone that casts every line as a punch line, but he is not intolerable. The performance rolls along with the confidence of a lounge act insulated by a well-stocked bar and a blizzard outside.

Jud is played by Titus’ actual son, Timothy Titus, who has an earnest intensity. The bonus is that, between the two Tituses, there are moments of unconscious byplay that great actors would have to work meticulously to achieve.

Still, the production has the emotional depth of a clipboard hung at the foot of a patient’s bed. The set and lighting are mercilessly hogtied by what must be rules and regulations of the Turtle Rock Community Park, where the production is being staged. In a desperate attempt to create some ambience, director Lee Clark has configured the audience at tables to enhance the sense of being at a dinner event. He neglected, however, to alter the script’s clear indication that the testimonial party is being held in a theater.

‘Tribute’

The Irvine Community Theater presents the play by Bernard Slade, directed by Lee Clark. With Tracy Godfrey, April Adams, Tom Titus, Christy Joy, Kathleen Mahoney, Timothy Titus and Lynette Wood. Continues Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at Turtle Rock Community Park, 1 Sunnyhill, Irvine. $6 general admission, $5 for students and seniors. (714) 857-5496.