The Art of Timing

The words may be well-wrought, the actors may be at the top of their league and the director may be inspired--none of which counts for much in farce without that most elusive of elements: timing.

Two productions that opened locally over the New Year’s weekend are worthy of study by drama students. The plays--”A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” now playing at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, and “After Play” at the Petit Playhouse in Oxnard--seemingly couldn’t be more dissimilar.

“Forum,” whose comic roots extend to the ancient Rome it parodies, is slapstick bordering on burlesque.

Written by veteran comedian Anne Meara, “After Play” features an assemblage of New York neurotics who might have wandered in from a Neil Simon or Woody Allen script. And it has even less of a plot than “Forum.”

Yet both plays are farces, and both live or die on the actors’ timing.

Judging from performances over the weekend, the neurotics had an edge over the toga party: It was the difference between a precision watch and an hourglass. Who woulda thunk?

Although “Forum” is a very funny piece of theater, and this production, directed by Allan Hunt, features several very talented people both on- and backstage, Saturday night’s performance seemed surprisingly flaccid, as though the cast’s energies had been dissipated into the previous day’s football games and parades.

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The seven men and women of “After Play,” on the other hand, were crackling under the direction of Patricia Lynn-Strickland like a good night at the Algonquin round table.

Although it has its virtues, “After Play” is not the stronger property.

As the play opens, two couples arrive at an out-of-the-way restaurant, late at night.

The couples--played by Judy Heiliger, Vincent D’Andrea, Doreen Lacy and Tom Bird--(plus a third, Madelon Hendel and Chuck Frankenberg, who enter briefly but effectively in the second act) are unaware that the “restaurant” is somewhere between purgatory and Fantasy Island, hosted by a “waiter” played by Art McDermott; and that they all are, in fact, dead. (Not giving anything away here; the audience is told in the company’s publicity and in the program notes.) Thus, their bickering has a somewhat ironic quality.

“Forum” features producer Gabriel Vega as the wily slave, Pseudolus, who tries to bring Hero (David Meidenbauer) and Philia (AnnaDee Henson) together, against the wishes of Hero’s parents (Robert West, Patricia Adrian) and Philia’s procurer (Terry Fishman).

It’s a large and attractive cast, accompanied by a largish band under the baton of musical director Jerry Ursetti. Kristy Roy Tapp is the choreographer; and of course, the songs (most of which you’ll forget while they’re still being sung) are by Stephen Sondheim.

Even in its lackadaisical Saturday-night performance, “Forum” was certainly entertaining, and it’s entirely likely that the cast’s energy will pick up as the engagement continues.

“After Play” is somewhat less interesting, but regular patrons of the Elite Theatre Company will likely see some of the best ensemble acting ever on that stage.

Schedule Changes: Only a week into 1999 and two local companies have already changed plans.

The production of an adaptation of Henry James’ macabre “The Turn of the Screw,” scheduled to open at the Ojai Center for the Arts on Jan. 15, has been postponed indefinitely, says producer-star Jeff G. Rack, out of respect for local sensitivity surrounding the recent death of teenager Kali Manley; and the Santa Paula Theater Center began rehearsing this week a production of George Bernard Shaw’s “Don Juan in Hell,” replacing the previously announced production of the playwright’s “Candida,” scheduled to open Jan. 22 (“casting problems” says a source close to the production).

Those with season tickets should call the center at 525-4645 to confirm dates.

Continuing Performance: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” continues through Jan. 31 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave. in Simi Valley.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings; at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoons and Saturdays, Jan. 16 and 30; and at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Tickets to all shows are $15; $12, seniors and students; and $8, children. For reservations or further information, call 581-9940.

“After Play” continues through Feb. 6 at the Petit Playhouse, 730 South B St. in Oxnard’s Heritage Square. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets to all shows are $12; $10, seniors. For reservations or further information, call 483-5118.