STAGE BEAT : Wise ‘Sirens of Seduction’ Skewers Suburban Mores

It’s all much more innocent than its title, “Sirens of Seduction,” but not all that innocent. The “Sirens” are hostesses of home lingerie sales parties, in this case Judy Peterson, whose husband Rob has departed with a bimbette, leaving Judy to make her own life.

If at first glance this looks something like sitcom, glance again. A first play by Lee Murphy and Jan Bina, “Sirens” is a very funny, often wise glance at how some women in suburbia look at the man in their lives. Here that man is Judy’s Rob, for most of the friends invited to the party have had some sort of run-in with Rob, either before or during his marriage to Judy.

There are few one-liners to fuel the comedy. The humor comes out of character and the laughs come from the clockwork timing of director Danny Goldman. He has infused the production at the Victory Theatre with the honesty and realism necessary for ungimmicked comedy.

Goldman’s job was made easier by his adroit casting all the way down the line. Debbie Zipp is sheer delight as the gangly, confused, adorable Judy, who is convinced her Rob will return, until her friends begin dropping strong hints that she should change the locks.

Zipp’s reactions are as funny as her line readings. As Judy’s sister Yvonne, whose perfect marriage is revealed as no such thing, Nancy Linari begins with just the right hard edge, and a subtle hint beneath it that she isn’t quite as starchy as she seems.

Debbie McLeod’s bubbling Southern energy is on the nose for the friend who talked Judy into becoming a Siren hostess, and Ann Ryerson has a warm, comfortable glow as J.J., a lesbian who is solidly a member of the clique. Next to Zipp’s, Doris Hess’ single and double-takes, as full-figured friend Helen, get some of the evening’s biggest laughs.

Betsy Berenson’s wide-eyed gullibility as pregnant Patsy barely hides the truth that Patsy really runs her marriage to fireman Pete, just as Catherine Carlen’s flamboyant restaurateur Tina, with an eye for busboys, may just be the best adjusted member of the group.

The Peterson living room looks as Valley-oriented as it’s supposed to in D Martyn Bookwalter’s set and lighting design, and Rhonda Earick’s costumes reveal character and sometimes just a hint of skin.

* “Sirens of Seduction,” Victory Theatre, 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Indefinitely. $15-$17; (818) 841-5421. Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes.