‘Ruthless!’: There’s No Business Like Show Business Satire

Even though it may be on a stage, a cartoon is a cartoon. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Playwrights have been writing cartoons since Aristophanes’ “The Frogs.”

What’s important is a director who knows the territory and how to bring it to life. In the Saddleback Civic Light Opera’s production of “Ruthless!” at Saddleback College, director Jeff Paul shows he has the knack, as does musical director John Massey Jr., whose bright, energetic tempos are perfect.

“Ruthless,” by Joel Paley and Marvin Laird, has several targets for its crayon-colored satire.

One is poking fun at “The Bad Seed,” with a pint-sized protagonist, Tina Denmark, who kills another girl because she wants the lead in their third-grade production of “Pippi Longstocking in Tahiti.” Second is those white-bread sitcoms of the ‘50s, with their saccharine outlook and even more sugary plots. Third is those backstage dramas, particularly “All About Eve,” with everyone conniving to unseat a star.

Finally, and most outlandish, it’s a jab at drag performers and their interminable fascination with movie queens, in this case Joan Crawford. Mama Rose from “Gypsy” also gets her comeuppance.

Paul lets out all the stops in his staging, matching book and lyric writer Paley’s outrageous gags with sight gags of his own.

The jokes are dreadful, and all the funnier for being delivered with dead seriousness: While moppet agent Sylvia St. Croix--the Joan Crawford character--is munching toast at the Denmark home, she asks Tina’s mother, “What kind of a name is Denmark?” Judy Denmark asks, “Danish?” St. Croix, smiling poisonously, responds, “No, thank you, the toast is fine.”

It’s not Moliere, nor even Neil Simon, but within this framework it accomplishes the writer’s intent. So does Paul’s sharp casting, with each performer reveling in the outsized high camp. There’s a sense of lunacy afoot, and it’s pretty infectious.

*

Lance Phillips is very funny as the larger-than-life St. Croix and makes the most of a rich light baritone in his musical numbers. Therese Walden, as Tina’s ucky-sweet mom, makes an easy transition to prime bitch when she discovers she’s really the daughter of former star Ruth Del Marco, who disappeared after a nasty review by theater critic Lita Encore (the charming Marie Kelly).

Dana Farner, with a belting voice that’s just right for her roles, doubles as Tina’s third-grade teacher (with a cleverly contrived manner of speech) and as a trade-paper reporter after an interview with Tina’s mom when she becomes a Broadway star. Also doubling, as Tina’s blob of a victim in Act 1 and mom’s Eve Harrington in Act 2, is Samantha Wynn, and she’s hilarious in both.

None of it would work quite as well as it does without the presence of Lindsay Ridgeway as the tiny terror herself, Tina Denmark. Ridgeway played the role in the 1993 West Coast premiere in Beverly Hills at the Canon Theatre and sings the role of Tina on the cast album CD.

She’s little short of phenomenal.

Her big, brassy voice would do honor to the best Broadway musical performer; her timing and comic sense are impeccable, and she practically takes over the stage when she’s on. She turned 11 last week.

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* “Ruthless!” McKinney Theatre, Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Matinees Saturday-Sunday, 3 p.m. Ends Sunday. $16-$18. (714) 582-4656. Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes.

Lance Phillips: Sylvia St. Croix

Therese Walden: Judy Denmark

Lindsay Ridgeway: Tina Denmark

Marie Kelly: Lita Encore

Dana Farner: Myrna Thorn/Emily Block

Samantha Wynn: Louise Lerman/Eve

A Saddleback Civic Light Opera production of Joel Paley and Marvin Laird’s musical spoof, produced by Geoff English. Directed by Jeff Paul. Musical direction: John Massey Jr. Scenic design: Wally Huntoon. Costume design: Charles Castagno. Lighting design: Kevin Cook. Sound design: David Edwards. Stage manager: Elizabeth M. Knaski.