THEATER REVIEWS : Roving Troupe Rolls Out 2 Rowdy Comedies : Classics in the Park will perform ‘Much Ado’ and ‘Harlequino’ at summer shows. Despite mumbled lines, there are lots of laughs.

The touring company formerly known as Shakespeare in the Park is now Classics in the Park. While the company has expanded its repertoire to two shows, one of them--”Much Ado About Nothing”--is Shakespeare, but one isn’t. Whether “Harlequino and the Cup of Love” is a classic is something you can discuss on the way home.

Both shows will be presented separately at various locations around Ventura and Los Angeles counties during the next two months. Most performances are free.

“Much Ado,” directed by and starring Toni Beery, is one of Shakespeare’s fluffier works, and one of his most easily enjoyed. Its central characters are Beatrice (Beery) and Benedict (Robert M. Grant). While both appear to be highly desirable as romantic partners, they have sworn off the idea of marriage; in fact, they are decidedly antagonistic to one another. This being a romantic comedy, it’s clear that they will have fallen in love with one another before the final curtain. The only question is: how?

In the meantime, young and inexperienced Claudio has developed an as-yet unresolved passion for Beatrice’s cousin, Hero (Laurie Ciarametaro). And the villainous Don John (Rick Brining) is upset that Claudio’s advancement in the court of Don Pedro (Jason Graziano) has come at his own expense--especially embarrassing since Don John is Don Pedro’s brother. Don John sets out to destroy the romance between Claudio and Hero.

The production is workmanlike and generally entertaining, if not especially inspired. Beery gives Beatrice an interesting spin, playing her as much younger than usual through the use of exaggerated movement and speech.

Though this Beatrice is still vivacious and intelligent, one wonders how she’s managed to build up so much bitterness toward romance in such a relatively brief time.

While perhaps not a classically dashing romantic figure at first glance, Grant turns in a polished performance as Benedict, and Rob Cox is almost too shy and nervous as Claudio; it looks as though he’s been studying Hugh Grant’s last couple of screen characters.

As usual, the play has two high points, both quite well played here. The first is where Benedict and Beatrice spy on their friends who (aware that they’re being watched) spin tales calculated to bring the two together; the second is the appearance of comically officious rustic Constable Dogberry (Rick Meyer) and the inept members of his watch (Michael Jordan, Pepita Merayo, Estelle James, Stephanie James) as they bumble their way into bringing Don John and his accomplices (Jim Diderrich, Geoff Mutch) to justice.

Allowing for the fact that some of the actors are clearly more experienced than others, the main problem at last Saturday’s opening was that several, including some in crucial roles, don’t project their speech: It’s easy to miss Don John’s invidious plotting when he mumbles so much of it, and he’s not the only one to swallow his dialogue.

Which is all the more curious when compared to “Harlequino and the Cup of Love,” in which several of the same actors appear. Rob Cox, one of the mumblers in “Much Ado,” takes over the stage as Brighella, the wily narrator of this piece, which has been adapted from an Italian commedia dell’arte story.

In this rowdy escapade, Leandro (Meyer) and Lelio (Rick Brining) are both infatuated with the lovely Isabella (Laurie Ciarametaro), though Lelio occasionally pines for the former object of his passion, Valeria (Patty Pagan). Isabella’s father, Pantalone (Diderrich), when he’s not busy chasing his daughter’s maid, Colombina (Mary Carrig), around the room, is hopeful that Isabella will marry a rich duke. In the meantime, local courtesan Fionetta (April Sallie) is trying to teach her newest protegee, Gitta (Rochelle Glatt) a few tricks of the trade, as it were.

Hilarity, need we say, ensues.

In the commedia tradition, the action here is quick-paced and brazen, the script loaded with action, semi-bawdy jokes and occasionally funny local and timely references. The funniest extended scene may be when the physically dissimilar Isabella and Colombina exchange costumes in order to confuse the menfolk, leading to Pantalone lustfully, though inadvertently, pursuing his own daughter around the town square.

Also especially notable here are performances by Mutch as the pompous Capitano, and Merayo in the same part she plays in “Much Ado.”

While both shows are slightly bawdy--”Harlequino” more than “Much Ado”--they are suitable enough for children. But at running times of 2 to 2 1/2 hours, they may be too long for youngsters.

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Details

“Much Ado About Nothing”

* WHERE & WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday at Court Theater, 3190 Cochran St., Simi Valley; 5 p.m. July 15 at Conejo Valley Park, at Dover and Hendrix avenues, Thousand Oaks; 5 p.m. July 23 at Barranca Vista Park, 7050 E. Ralston St., Ventura.

* HOW MUCH: Free except $5 at Court Theater in Simi Valley.

* CALL: 522-5501 (Court Theater).

“Harlequino and the Cup of Love”

* WHERE & WHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday at Arts Council Center, 482 Greenmeadow Road, Thousand Oaks; 8 p.m, July 13-14 at Court Theater, 3190 Cochran St., Simi Valley; 5:30 p.m.; 8 p.m. July 16 at Grape Arbor Park, Calabasas; 8 p.m. July 20-21 at Court Theater; 5 p.m. Aug. 13 at Oak Canyon Community Park, Agoura.

* HOW MUCH: Free except $5 at Arts Council Center in Thousand Oaks.

* CALL: 522-5501 (Court Theater); 499-4355 (Arts Council Center).