Wildly Racy ‘Lysistrata’ Ends Up a Silly Romp

“Lysistrata,” the Aristophanes classic about women on a “no peace, no sex” strike, is adult, earthy fare, a ribald romp with a serious antiwar message.

Without a deft touch, though, this racy play, with its plethora of references to genitalia and intercourse and such bawdy sights as wildly exaggerated phalluses, risks seeming silly and self-conscious--and that’s the case at the wildly uneven outdoor production of the classic at Stages Theatre Center.

Irena Stepic, who co-designed and co-produced this Germaine Greer-Phil Willmott adaptation, directs a cast of veteran and less polished actors. She also stars in the title role, but her heavily accented English and such fervent utterances as “How can you fight like the mad dogs on each others’ throats” undermine her undeniably sincere passion.

Co-producer and cast member Ana Divac’s husband, NBA star Vlade Divac, makes a game cameo appearance on video, opening the show as a TV news anchor. This and women-on-the-street video interviews are modest highlights in this not-ready-for-prime-time independent production.

“Lysistrata--The Sex Strike,” Stages Theatre Center, 1540 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. Thursdays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Through Oct. 13. $20. (323) 465-1010. Running time: 2 hours.