‘Philadelphia Story’ Has Look, Not Nuance

Like the purebreds scrutinized in its comic antics, the handsome revival of “The Philadelphia Story” at the Court Theatre comes with impeccable pedigrees.

Amid suitably opulent period decor, director Jules Aaron serves up a stylish visual feast populated with a cast whose members look their parts. Yet despite impressive credentials, the production misses some of the more sophisticated levels in Philip Barry’s classic meditation on love, social class and personal character.

In the central role of heiress Tracy Lord, Alison Eastwood cuts a sultry, Rita Hayward-esque figure--a welcome departure from the Katharine Hepburn archetype stamped on generations by George Cukor’s 1940 film. Eastwood’s Tracy is skillful at getting what she wants through her sensuous sizzle, although the mantle of old money never quite fits her; we simply have to take it on faith from the context. Some of her verbal sparring loses its bite as a result, though she affectingly crumbles when her carefully nurtured superiority is demolished by her ex-husband, Dexter (Hugh O. Gorman).

Gorman has the requisite breezy charm and good looks for Dexter, but never displays the scars of a recovered alcoholic who’s been to hell and back and therefore lacks the moral authority for his tough-love critique of Tracy. Also a mixed bag is Briant Wells as the romantic “third wheel,” gossip reporter Mike Connor. Wells nails Mike’s Populist distrust of the idle rich, but his supposed writer’s sensitivity is never apparent enough to mitigate his class-conscious grousing.

On the plus side, Jill Remez is an unqualified success as wisecracking photographer Liz Embry, whose sideline shots are steeped in an impressive evocation of period and character. John Bliss also delights as the skirt-chasing Uncle Willie.

Assured delivery of Barry’s wit and charm more than validate the production, but the complex nuances in his refusal to settle for the obvious could still be better served.

*

* “The Philadelphia Story,” Court Theatre, 722 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends June 12. $25. (310) 289-2999. Running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes.