‘Birds’ Flies Playfully in the Face of Flaws

The word “untrammeled” comes to mind while watching “The Birds” at Theatre of N.O.T.E. Conceived, directed and choreographed by Ken Roht, this musical adaptation of Aristophanes’ classic, translated by William Arrowsmith, is wildly inventive--frequently to a fault.

Perhaps the most successful single element of the evening, Roht’s rawly exuberant choreography is finely calibrated to the performers’ uneven levels of expertise. Joshua Fardon’s original music fares less well. Only a few in the cast have acceptable singing voices, while many can’t carry a tune in a titanium bucket. On opening weekend, some in the cast apparently found it difficult to keep abreast of the taped music track, through no fault of Rick Lunn, whose sound design is otherwise an integral component.

Mike Minecki’s playful set contains two slides down which the performers careen into the central playing area. The birds’ vividly eclectic plumage, designed by Roht with the assistance of Keith Mitchell, is a combination of ‘60s retro chic and cabaret drag.

Roht shoots for a vaudevillian broadness and frequently succeeds in his aim. However, while sometimes very funny, the actors are so hyperkinetically hammy that the text gets lost in the relentless slapstick. Roht’s audacious but manic staging is like being swatted with a rubber chicken: The first time is good for a few yuks, but after that, the comedic impact wears thin.

*

* “The Birds,” Theatre of N.O.T.E., 1517 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Ends Nov. 29. $12-$15. (213) 856-8611. Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes.