STAGE REVIEW : Aging Script, Poor Acoustics Cause ‘Luv’ to Lose Its Passion

The L.P. Repertory has a couple of tall obstacles to overcome in its production of Murray Schisgal’s “Luv”: the dialogue-subverting acoustics of Tustin’s Clifton C. Miller Community Center and, worse, the insignificance of Schisgal’s aging script.

There is not much the small troupe can do about the first; the second only becomes more obvious after reading the program notes, which tout the 1964 comedy as something of a sly incantation of the consciousness-raising ‘60s, even a “spoof of the (then) avant-garde.”

“Luv” is not that. “Luv” is a lightweight number about an odd romantic triangle set on a New York bridge. Schisgal does touch (barely) on one or two of the issues that would become rallying points as the ‘60s progressed--there is a light mention of women’s changing roles and some randy references to more liberation in the bedroom--but even these are merely incidental to the play’s shaky humor.

“Luv” got good reviews when it was first produced on Broadway, mainly because it took some hungry bites at our traditionally idealized view of love and relationships. But age can be pretty hard on comedies. Now, it comes across as tame and generic, like a prolonged episode of “Love American Style.”

Just look at the plot: Milt (Jonathon Motil) stumbles upon Harry (William J. Durkin) preparing to commit suicide by taking a leap. Milt talks him out of it. Milt wants to marry another woman, so he foists his frustrated wife, Ellen (Nancy Boster) on the disturbed Harry. Everything is copacetic until Milt decides he wants Ellen back. Ellen still likes Milt, so Harry gets the brush. In the end, Harry, who imagines he is being tailed by a vicious dog, is chased by a real dog. Grrrr.

In any case, the community center’s poor acoustics are so pervasive that many of the lines are unintelligible, especially early in the show. And even after the ear becomes accustomed to the overlapping sounds, it is still hard to pick everything up when actors raise the register, reaching for changes in emotional tone.

‘LUV’

An L.P. Repertory production of Murray Schisgal’s comedy. Directed by Timothy P. Thorn and Sarah Coleman. With William J. Durkin, Jonathon Motil and Nancy Boster. Set by Timothy P. Thorn. Music and lighting by William J. Durkin. Plays Friday and Saturday at 8:15 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin. Tickets: $6 to $8. (714) 721-2792.