The ‘Room Service’ Runs Hot and Cold

You might want to think carefully before dialing “Room Service” at Canoga Park’s West Valley Playhouse. Chiefly remembered nowadays as a problematic 1938 movie vehicle for the Marx Brothers, this onetime Broadway hit by John Murray and Allen Boretz proves a seriously dated period farce.

The formulaic backstage antics revolve around an unscrupulous producer’s efforts to get his latest show on the boards. Providing stage time for a 14-member cast, the innocuous script puts the onus on the performers to supply the sparks.

Fortunately, Steve Ruggles’ assured turn hits the central mark as the oily, manipulative producer, Gordon Miller. Ruggles layers his delivery with all the appropriate inflections, reactions and ongoing tone of exasperation one would expect from a skilled character actor. Scamming free room and board for his cast from his brother-in-law, a frazzled hotel manager (Michael Eisenberg), Miller’s schemes are repeatedly stymied by the manager’s blustering, abusive boss (very well played by Wynn Rowell), a spoilsport bent on actually receiving payment.

Bob Van Dusen, Miller’s laconic director, and David Stifel, as a Russian waiter with acting aspirations, supply some credible supporting performances. Unfortunately, the romantic plot between the young playwright (Billy Minogue) and the lead actress (Sharon Cohen) never catches fire.

Burdened with predictable, repetitious gags, the first two acts are tough going. In the third act, however, director Jon Berry hits a breezy, enjoyable stride.

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* “Room Service,” West Valley Playhouse, 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Ends June 2. $18. (818) 884-1907. Running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes.