THEATER REVIEW : An Actress Forgets Her Lines? It’s in the Script : Life imitates art as flubs mar the opening night of a very funny play about players. Time should improve that little problem.

A broad backstage comedy with a generous supply of laughs, “Star on the Door” features lots of juicy opportunities for overripe actors. For those who go to a lot of plays, it bears the distinction of a novelty, certainly not having been performed locally in at least the last five years. You probably haven’t heard of it or playwrights Jack Sharkey and Leo W. Sears; don’t worry.

The current production of the Elite Theatre Company, based in Oxnard’s Heritage Square, the play is about Doreen Lewis, a film star of long standing about to make her Broadway debut. Working in films doesn’t require her to memorize lines, which is fortunate because she has trouble doing just that.

Her longtime secret admirer, Paul Burnside, is her co-star in the play, produced by the nervous Mel Thorn. Mel is nervous, it turns out, because the play is financed by a shadowy figure known only as “Nunzio,” and the repercussions of failure are ominous. And failure seems likely, because of Doreen’s inability to learn her lines.

Got that?

In the meantime, Doreen’s son, Thomas, is secretly married to the actress’ dresser, Beverly. When Doreen intercepts a phone call from Beverly’s doctor, we’re thrust into one of TV sitcoms’ wheeziest cliches, the misdirected diagnosis. High jinks ensue.

As mentioned above, several of the characters are painted larger than life by the playwrights, and are so played here under the direction of Judy Heiliger. Christine Laird is very funny as grande dame Doreen, who is trying to balance the bravado of a star and the deep insecurity of facing an unusual new situation. John Masterson matches her as the hammy, more experienced stage actor Paul Burnside.

Additional opportunities to overact are given (and received with great enthusiasm by) Irv Citron as nervous producer Mel Thorn and Rodman Casselberry as flamboyant Bavarian playwright Wolfgang Ferris.

Supplying the play’s core of relative normality are Yolanda Lesser and Jake Lesser as the youngish secret lovers, Beverly and Thomas.

While the play is very funny on its own rather unsophisticated level, there is a certain irony in the Petit Playhouse production: On opening night, many of the actors were having trouble with their lines in a play about an actress who has trouble with her lines. The memory virus affected several of the leads.

More time in the roles should improve that little problem and increase the enthusiasm of first-time actor Jake Lesser, who played with a bit too much caution at the opening.

Details

* WHAT: “Star on the Door.”

* WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; through June 24 (June 2 is sold out).

* WHERE: Petit Playhouse, 730 B. St. (Heritage Square), Oxnard.

* HOW MUCH: $10 (general admission); $8 (seniors).

* CALL: 525-6301.