‘P.S. Your Cat Is Dead’: A Frisky ‘70s Kitten, Now Tame

James Kirkwood’s “P.S. Your Cat Is Dead” was probably one of the most regularly staged plays of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, mainly because it’s the kind of comedy actors like to indulge in, and it gives a director an opportunity to make what, in its time, were some interesting theatrical choices.

It all seems a little tame today. A lot of dramatic water has gone under the bridge. The play’s one joke, a man onstage without pants, is no longer titillating, especially when he’s as demure and coy as Kirkwood’s Vito. And Vito’s easy confession of bisexuality sounds less a statement today than it did when Kirkwood wrote it.

At the intermission of Saturday’s performance at Garden Grove’s Gem Theater, one couple were heard asking another, “Have you found a plot yet?” There is one; there’s just not much to it.

Vito is in the process of burglarizing New York actor Jimmy Zoole’s apartment for the third time. Zoole’s girlfriend has just left him, his cat has died, he’s been written out of a soap opera, and he has been fired from a play. This time Zoole captures Vito, and in his anger and frustration, ties Vito to the sink and cuts his pants off. They settle down to celebrate New Year’s Eve together and become friends.

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Director Kevin Cochran has put together an affectionate but fairly by-the-book revival of Kirkwood’s comedy and has not tinkered at all with its period feel. There are a couple of anachronisms on Mark Klopfenstein’s set, however: a picture from “Chorus Line,” which Kirkwood helped write, but years later; and on the fridge, a “Dress-Me-Up-David” magnet and his wardrobe, also a much later artifact.

Cochran’s tempos are crisp throughout, except, correctly, when tenderness raises its romantic head, but these are also the moments when the production’s energy lags just a bit. Relaxing a tempo onstage does not mean you can also relax energy. They aren’t the same thing.

Klopfenstein’s setting does look like a New York walk-up, and David Darwin’s lighting helps create the effect, especially the cold light filtering through the wintry-frosted windows.

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Matthew J. Chaffee, as Jimmy Zoole, and Eddie Nickerson, as Vito, also have that New York look, and except for those too quiet moments, their energy reflects the Big Apple’s. They are funny and charming, and their characterizations are well-rounded and individualistic. The fencing game Kirkwood has written for them is easy and accomplished in their hands. Chaffee’s delight in getting the upper hand for a change, and Nickerson’s crinkly faced, puppy-dog responses, are just right.

Anette Sanders is Jimmy’s departing girlfriend, Kate, and she’s good, but her slight harsh quality doesn’t seem to indicate the type of girl Jimmy would have gotten tied up with in the first place. Scoot Powell is also fine as her new beau, Fred, but one would think the guy Kate is leaving Jimmy for would have more charisma, even though he is a stuffed shirt.

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* “P.S. Your Cat Is Dead,” Gem Theater, 12852 Main St., Garden Grove. today, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 6 p.m. Ends Sunday. $16.50-$24.50. (714) 741-9550. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.

Eddie Nickerson: Vito

Anette Sanders: Kate

Matthew J. Chaffee: Jimmy

Scoot Powell: Fred

A Grove Theatre Center production of James Kirkwood’s comedy. Produced by Kevin Cochran and Charles Johanson. Directed by Kevin Cochran. Scenic design: Mark Klopfenstein. Lighting design: David Darwin. Costume design: Don Nelson. Sound design: David Ortega.