O.C. THEATER / T.H. McCULLOH : A Feminist Playwright Gilds the Camellia : Pam Gems’ reworking of Alexander Dumas fils’ classic novel at UC Irvine has changed it very little. It remains the ultimate melodramatic bauble.

Feminist playwright Pam Gems has reworked Alexander Dumas fils ‘ classic novel “La Dame aux Camelias” in an attempt to illuminate its lessons with today’s thoughts. It’s a laudatory effort, but the success of her version--called “Camille”--seems negligible because she hasn’t changed the story at all, just explored some avenues that travel beneath the original plot line.

For starters, she gives Marguerite, known as Camille, a lesbian lover and gives her adored Armand a male lover. It’s a known fact that many prostitutes, including the high-priced courtesans of Dumas’ day, have been bisexual. Nothing new here, nor in Armand’s dallying with Prince Bela. The characters’ bisexuality is an interesting supposition that only adds spice to the classic.

Some of Gems’ condiments don’t work, such as Marguerite’s admission of having been sexually molested as a child and young woman, and Armand’s concurrent confession that he was abused emotionally by his parents. At that moment, they realize their great love for each other. Considering that today practically everyone in this country is suddenly realizing that he or she was abused and molested as a child, and is still dysfunctional, Marguerite and Armand’s admissions don’t seem much reason for sudden adoration.

Under Gems’ pen, “Camille” is still the melodramatic bauble it always has been. Both the playwright and Dumas are fortunate that this production at UC Irvine is as inventive as it is, with some moments of magic and charm that keep the story’s heat throbbing.

Though Keith Fowler’s direction at times is too leisurely, the production often captures the spirit of its time (updated here to the Edwardian era) and a great deal of the color and tempo of the high society it depicts.

As Marguerite, Hope Chernov displays a sensitivity and subtlety that make perfectly believable the rough-and-tumble, raucous courtesan of Gems’ imagination. Brian D. Evans, as Armand, has a vital energy and gentle intensity that effortlessly balance this kinetic Camille.

Other notables in a generally fine cast include Ann Shipley, charming but businesslike as a female pimp; Jason Heil as incorrigible Bela, Russell Dunn as a stammering Swedish count, Stephanie Burden as an ambitious laundress and particularly Peter Massey as Armand’s father, the self-righteously evil Marquis de Saint-Brieuc.

Framing the staging, along with two operatic arias beautifully performed by Kristi Petersen, is the conceit of a pianist performing at a concert. Musical director Steven Speciale manages to look the period, and plays with fire and splendor.

The six-foot white camellia that adorns the back wall of Douglas-Scott Goheen’s set gives a focal point to the action and to Gems’ image of one of history’s most put-upon heroines. Incidentally, since Dumas fils based his story on his friendship with the real Lady of the Camellias, and Armand on himself, Gems might have gotten some avant-garde mileage out of the fact that Dumas and his father (who wrote “The Three Musketeers”) were part black. But racial questions are not a feminist concern, so she doesn’t even bring it up.

‘Camille’

A UC Irvine Drama production of Pam Gems’ adaptation of Alexander Dumas fils’ novel “La Dame aux Camelias.” Directed by Keith Fowler. With Hope Chernov, Brian D. Evans, Jason Heil, Thom Rivera, Charles Huston, Harmony Goodman, Ann Shipley, Kirsten Daurelio, Stephanie Burden, Peter Massey, Russell Dunn, Steven Speciale, Kristi Petersen, Terry Christopher, Rob Addison, Ali Hassas, Gustavo Lopez, Dan Renkin, Daniel Kirkpatrick (alternating with Emily Anne Horowitz), Pia Williams. Set: Douglas-Scott Goheen. Lighting: Guy Conger. Costumes: Elizabeth Novak, Kimberley Barnhardt. Musical direction: Steven Speciale. Choreography: Matt Nelson. Continues through Saturday at 8 p.m. and a Saturday matinee at 2 at the Fine Arts Concert Hall, UC Irvine. Running time: 3 hours, 10 minutes. $6-$14. (714) 856-6616 or (714) 856-5000.