‘Window’ Glows in Its Surface Shine

Libby is having a small party.

A neat little production of Craig Lucas’ “Blue Window” at the Vanguard Theatre in Fullerton doesn’t dig too deeply into the subtext behind Libby and her guests. Instead, it lets the viewer know what the evening is about with humor and only a cursory look at the people who, at least for this moment, make up Libby’s world.

Some of the guests are friends, others acquaintances. In a way, it is an emotional coming-out party for Libby, following a traumatic episode in her life. She wants to rejoin humanity.

It’s a difficult evening, beginning when she loses a tooth opening the caviar. The evening isn’t any easier for the others. Novelist Alice and psychologist Boo, lesbian lovers who live in the same building as Libby, are planning a vacation to Italy but are beginning to question the strength of their relationship.

Studio musician Tom is having a rough time composing a new song, and his lady, Emily, is still being frightened by men. Griever is in love with Libby, but Libby isn’t sure and is looking hungrily at skydiver Tom. In one way or another, they are all looking at life, and themselves, through a symbolic blue window.

Lucas made what is probably his most lasting impression as a playwright with this 1984 comedy-drama, which had its world premiere at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. It’s a kaleidoscopic view of young Manhattan adults growing up, an emotional puberty on the verge of 30. The script is insightful and witty, a candid look at a typical New York social evening of any era, with all its pretensions, fears and sophistry.

*

Director Erin Saporito stages Lucas’ script lucidly and with a fine sense of its comedic possibilities. She clearly delineates the beginning and ending scenes, when the characters are in their own apartments, preparing to go out and returning home. The central panel of the party is played out naturally, and Saporito’s weaving together of the threads of Lucas’ tapestry is effective if superficial.

The actors, though no one digs too deeply into his character, are bright and for the most part aware of the exterior shadings of their roles.

Patricia J. Francisco’s Libby is energetic, a valid interpretation until her final description of the tragedy that wrecked her life, when the tone doesn’t become dark enough to be effective. Andrew Kelley as Griever and Tim Pacific as Norbert hit all the right marks but could find richer detail in their readings.

Penelope VanHorne and Shelly Frasier, as Alice and Boo respectively, are good without leaning toward stereotype, but both Mark Schrier as Tom and Janie Lynch as Emily are too colorless to bring their characters to real life.

* “Blue Window,” Vanguard Theatre, 699-A S. State College Blvd., Fullerton. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday. $15-$17. Ends April 3. (714) 526-8007. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Patricia J. Francisco: Libby

Shelly Frasier: Boo

Andrew Kelley: Griever

Janie Lynch: Emily

Tim Pacific: Norbert

Mark Schrier: Tom

Penelope VanHorne: Alice

A Vanguard Theatre Ensemble production of Craig Lucas’ comedy-drama. Directed by Erin Saporito. Scenic/lighting design: Robert Mumm. Sound design/stage manager: Robert Eaton.