A Look at Cubs Fans as a Microcosm of Society

Chicago Cubs fans’ affection for their team is legendary even outside baseball circles. Win or lose--and it’s mostly lose--these faithful followers live for their “Cubbies.” “Bleacher Bums,” now playing at the Santa Paula Theater Center, is set in the stands of a Cubs-Cardinals game among a group of mostly die-hard regulars.

The comedy (last performed in Ventura County by the Conejo Players in June 1992) was written by members of Chicago’s Organic Theater Company, which at the time included Joe Mantegna, credited with the play’s concept, and Dennis Franz.

It’s one of those scripts in which a bunch of people--soldiers in a bunker, passengers on a sinking ship--are a microcosm of society. (And, of course, Cubs fans can be likened to both groups.) There are people young and old(er), bright and dim, honest and duplicitous, heroic and cowardly.

Focus shifts among the characters, but everybody gets his or her share of the spotlight under David Ralphe’s direction, with the exception of a youngster (Joseph Owens), whose originator probably wasn’t involved in the writing.

The characters include married couple Zig and Rose (Fred Halsel and De Anne Halsel); the slightly retarded Decker (Michael Sollazzo); blind fan Greg and his friend, Richie (Jeff G. Rack, Karl Mickelson); a fan (John McKinley) who carefully gathers information on the opposing team’s players in order to heckle them all the better; another (Robert Sabotka) who’s not the only gambler in the bunch but perhaps the most serious about it; and a young woman (Kelly O’Brien) who’s a newcomer to the group. Ron Rosen also appears as a security guard and the offstage game announcer.

* “Bleacher Bums” at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, through Nov. 3 at the Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 S. 7th St. $10-$12.50. Call 525-4645. Plans are to move the show to the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center soon afterward.

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French Farce in Moorpark: The Moorpark College Theater Department opens its 1996-97 season with a snappy version of “Tartuffe,” by the 17th-century French playwright Moliere, last performed locally by, again, the Conejo Players in January 1993.

While pretty much everybody in Orgon’s household finds Tartuffe to be a pretentious hypocrite, wealthy Orgon is so impressed with the fellow that he sets Tartuffe up with his daughter, Mariane, and bestows upon him a large piece of property. Mariane will have nothing of it; she’s in love with the handsome Valere. The object is to expose Tartuffe, and (as they say in France) send him packing.

It’s a strong cast under Katherine Lewis’ direction, with especially notable performances by Glenn Friedman as Tartuffe, Jeremy Crockett as Orgon, Nichole Immel as Mariane, Amy Buchholz as Mariane’s maid and co-conspirator Dorine, and Seetska Vandenberg as Orgon’s wife, Elmire.

Lewis has chosen a relatively recent translation by Richard Wilbur, which means the language doesn’t sound too dated, which is good. Wilbur’s version is rhymed, an affectation that often leads actors astray; it’s a credit to Lewis and her cast that nobody gets too singsong-y.

This afternoon’s matinee will be followed by a discussion with the cast and director. All performances feature opening and intermission music by the college’s Chamber Music Ensemble under the direction of Dolly Kessner; it’s quite lovely.

* “Tartuffe” continues through Saturday at the Moorpark College Main Stage Theatre, 7075 Campus Road. Performances are at 1:30 p.m. today, and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $5-10. Call 378-1485.

Casting Call: The Theater League will hold auditions at noon Saturday at The Oaks mall, 222 W. Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks, for about 20 11- to 14-year-olds to sing and dance in the local run of “Godspell.” Those chosen (and their transportation-providing parents) should be available for rehearsals in Thousand Oaks after school Nov. 14-19, and evening performances at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Nov. 19-24. Register at The Oaks’ customer service booth, in front of Macy’s, through 9 p.m. Friday. Call 495-2031.