This isn’t a teddy bears’ picnic

FYI

WHAT: “Picnic” by William Inge, produced by A Noise Within

WHEN: Plays in repertory with “Othello” with through Nov. 27.

WHERE: 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale

TICKETS: $32 to $36 with discounts for students, groups and seniors

CONTACT: (818) 240-0910, Ext. 1

{LDQUO}Picnic” is not an easy play to direct. There are complicated entrances and exits and many players on stage at once.

To make conversations natural, one character must interrupt others, talk over one another and play to an audience in the semi-round.

But in this installment produced by A Noise Within, Craig Belknap takes charge. The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, William Inge (1913-1973), would have been proud.

Many will come to this production remembering the movie starring Kim Novak and William Holden. Repertory theater casts from its members. With a slate of this size, this varied, one might foresee some difficulty.

But no. Libby West plays Madge Owens perfectly -- maybe even better than Novak did, not only because she fits the “beautiful girl” image but also because she chooses to emphasize the character’s down-home, Midwest quality.

Bo Foxworth brings the required sexuality to the character of naughty hometown boy Hal Carter, and Jennifer DeCastroverde was so nuanced (and funny) as the little sister, I wanted to run down on the stage and hug her.

As for the supporting characters, each one is as good as the next.

The only distraction during the performance was possibly a costuming problem, perhaps caused by availability. “Picnic” was written and set in the 1950s and, on occasion, the dress here seemed more suitable for the 1940s.

Most who did not live through that decade would not notice and one might argue that, in this small Kansas town, the women might have been lagging a tad in their fashion choices.

That said, it was gratifying to see them dress up. Even back six decades, New York and San Francisco were not the only fashion centers on the continent.

Located in Glendale’s historic former Masonic Temple building, it feels as if one has stepped back in time attending A Noise Within production -- especially this one.

Behind the scenes, the hard-working group of volunteers welcomes their audience with warmth -- from the box office to the refreshment stand.

Comparing this theater experience to a recently seen Ahmanson production, also a period piece, one comes away with the feeling that Glendale has been blessed with a little treasure and, at -- comparatively bargain prices.

* CAROLYN HOWARD-JOHNSON is an award-winning author and poet living in Glendale, who was raised in Middle America and, yes, wore those 1950s fashions.

20051019iokllhkn(LA)Bo Foxworth and Libby West in “Picnic” by William Inge, produced by A Noise Within.20051019gxkkaske(LA)Carolyn HowardJohnson