The ‘Nightingale’ Known as Wilde

It’s not an original idea--looking back at the turn of the last century to create a millennium parallel. But to be successful, such a hook needs a better foundation than Stefan Rudnicki’s original dramatization “The Nightingale and the Rose,” a Knightsbridge Theatre production in association with Skyboat Road Company.

Perhaps the tie-in with New Year’s, roses and the Pasadena venue is merely coincidental. The rest is an all-too-transparent conceit. Famous friends of Oscar Wilde are celebrating his genius--no matter that he isn’t there.

This celebration takes place on New Year’s Eve, in 1899 New York City, two years after Wilde’s release from prison, where he served two years for sodomy. Wilde is in self-imposed exile on the European continent--far away from this crowd.

Unfortunately, the glitterati here don’t sparkle as they recite Wilde’s morality fables, including the one about the self-sacrificing bird from which this bill gets its title.

Perhaps the curious will come to see Arte Johnson of “Laugh-In” and “Love at First Bite” fame. Carrying a large book from which he seems to read all his lines and dressed in a white uniform with royal purple trim, he’s like a morose Napoleon as the other actors tower above him. He does momentarily play God as advertised, in addition to other characters.

The direction by Rudnicki and Gabrielle de Cuir is indulgent and Jeffrey Lass’ original music uninspired. Poor Wilde has been subjected to yet another gross indecency.

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* “The Nightingale and the Rose,” Knightsbridge Theatre, 35 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Fridays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 12 p.m. Special Valentine’s Day performance, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. $12 to $18. (626) 440-0821. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.