‘Jake’s Women’ Lets Simon Be His Own Man

When Neil Simon decides to get a little serious, it’s usually about himself. The one-liners are still there, proving that Simon can laugh at himself.

This is evident in his four coming-of-age plays, from “Brighton Beach Memoirs” to “Lost in Yonkers.” The latter is being presented on the Long Beach Playhouse’s Mainstage; upstairs, in the Studio Theatre, the Playhouse is presenting Simon’s wry look at his semi-fictitious relationships.

“Jake’s Women” is about a writer who can’t get women out of his mind. Like everyone else, Jake reminds us frequently, he spends a lot of time imagining conversations with these women: late wife Julie, current wife Maggie, pushy sister Karen, his daughter Molly (at age 12 and at age 21) and his shrink, Edith. These imaginary chats are not wish-fulfillment. They’re Jake’s subconscious method of sorting his torments.

Director Stephen M. Burdman doesn’t dismiss the humor in this difficult script; much of his staging is very funny. But he has chosen to emphasize the serious notes. The cadences are sometimes sluggish, but the tone created around Jake is affectionate and caring.

Before the show, Burdman said that Michael Flaherty, who plays Jake, had replaced another actor in the role and would be carrying the script. It turned out he didn’t need it.

Flaherty’s performance was easy, assured, funny and sometimes touching. The laughs he earned were not a comic’s; they came out of character and the actor’s firm grip on the author’s intent. He embodied Jake’s confusions and inability to communicate (except in print).

Gail Godown plays Maggie, who uses her successful career to fill the gaps in her marriage. When necessary, Godown shows a comic flair that has charm and a good bit of abandon, but her strength is in her seamless transitions to the understanding but ultimately frustrated woman battering the wall Jake has built around himself.

Deborah Quayle is excellent as Jake’s remembered image of his first wife, volatile and loving, and Sam Dawson is properly sharp and witty as the analyst who outstrips Jake at every turn.

Ann Marie Petricca is the daughter at 21 and has a wonderful, revealing scene with her late mother, in Jake’s imagination, that leaves a glow. Juli Alexandria gives a commendable performance as the daughter at 12 (though she looks older and seems oddly taller than her older self).

Susan E. Taylor opts for the stereotype as Jake’s kvetching sister. Still, she hits the right emotional keys. Kelly Godfrey wears her role instead of living in it. But maybe that’s because she is the only one of Jake’s women who isn’t re-created in his inventive mind.

Sarah Sullivan’s Manhattan flat setting looks like a Manhattan flat and deftly provides easy entrances and exits for the figments of Jake’s fantasies.

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* “Jake’s Women,” Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sunday matinee July 14, 2 p.m. Ends July 20. $10. (310) 494-1616. Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes.

Michael Flaherty: Jake

Gail Godown: Maggie

Susan E. Taylor: Karen

Juli Alexandria: Molly at 12

Ann Marie Petricca: Molly at 21

Sam Dawson: Edith

Deborah Quayle: Julie

Kelly Godfrey: Sheila

A Long Beach Playhouse production of a play by Neil Simon, directed by Stephen M. Burdman. Scenic design: Sarah Sullivan. Lighting design: David Klevens. Costume design: Annilese Baker. Stage manager: Gena M. Boone.