On Theater: ‘Good Stock,’ ‘Odd Couple’ are top pro offerings of 2015

This is the first of three columns reviewing 2015 in local theater.

South Coast Repertory and the Laguna Playhouse, the two professional theaters in our area’s purview, turned out a plethora of productions during the year, and two of them, one vintage and the other brand new, stood out above the rest.

At SCR, which mounted a widely varied lineup, the blue ribbon goes to the world premiere of Melissa Ross’ “Of Good Stock,” directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch. This column labeled it a “crackling dramatic comedy about sibling rivalry (and revelry).”

Runner-up honors go to a visiting British production, Richard Bean’s all-out farce “One Man, Two Guvnors,” based on the classic “The Servant of Two Masters” and directed by David Ivers. This column reported that the “outlandish farce ... not only crashes through the proverbial fourth wall, it reverses the process and brings unsuspecting audience members on stage to assist in all the tomfoolery.”

Honorable mentions go to “The Whipping Man,” directed by Martin Benson,” and the new play “Vietgone,” staged by May Adrales.

Easily the choice for best actor of the year at SCR is Dan Donohue, the industrious servant of “One Man, Two Guvnors,” described here as “a rambunctious redhead who manipulates the show’s other characters like so many chess pieces.” Runner-up is Matt McGrath, the Captain Hook prototype in “Peter and the Starcatcher” who “revels in his delicious villainy.”

Also earning commendation at SCR were Charlie Robinson in “The Whipping Man,” Melanie Lora in “Of Good Stock” and Lily Holleman in “Abundance.”

At the Laguna Playhouse, the prize production was Neil Simon’s classic comedy ‘The Odd Couple,” directed by Andrew Barnicle, the theater’s 20-year artistic director returning for a guest gig. As I remarked, it “may possibly be the funniest play ever written, especially on this side of the Atlantic.”

The clock was turned back again for the No. 2 show, “Footloose,” mounted by Paula Hammons Sloan, who also choreographed the musical. This column noted, “Her ensemble sequences crackle with youthful fervor.”

Third-place honors go to “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin,” staged by Trevor Hay, the latest in a series of one-man shows by this extraordinary talent. The inventive “Murder for Two,” by Joe Kinosian and Zellen Blair, rounds out the list.

Both Maxwell Caulfield and Kip Gilman, the Felix and Oscar of “The Odd Couple,” deserve recognition as best actor of the year in Laguna. Both, in this column’s view, “have nailed their well-known characterizations.”

Felder is a solid runner-up in his Berlin portrayal, while Kyle Branzel and Ian Lowe both shone in “Murder for Two.” And let’s not forget Logan Farine’s sure-footed work in “Footloose.”

Next week the spotlight shifts to the finest productions and performances of the community and college theater circuit. Then as 2015 fades out, we’ll honor the man and woman of the year in local theater.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater.