Circus’ Update of Moliere’s ‘Cheats’ Is a Carousel of Fun

Circus Theatricals, the highly regarded creative team responsible for last season’s long-running play “The Job,” has shown a particular predilection for Moliere since the group’s inception, presenting well-received productions of “Tartuffe” and “The Misanthrope.”

Now comes Moliere’s “The Cheats of Scapin,” the inaugural Circus Theatricals production in its new venue at the Odyssey Theatre. It’s fast, furious and entertaining.

“Scapin” has been freely adapted from John Ozell’s classic 1714 translation by founder Jack Stehlin and Jeannine Welles, who display a keen ear for Moliere’s comic rhythms in this subtly updated version.

Despite the imaginative costumes, props and makeup by Jeanine Payton, however, the production’s circus setting is never fully incorporated into Stehlin’s staging. The result is bright and pleasing to the eye, but thematically inorganic.

An occasional trapeze does not a production concept make.

But that’s quibbling amid all the fun. Stehlin elicits romping performances from his capable cast, including himself as Moliere’s eponymous bounder, which he plays with a near-perfect fusion of a leer and a twinkle. Also exceptional is Matt Gottleib as Scapin’s miserly master Geronte, a simpering fop floundering in the coils of his tricky servant’s latest subterfuge.

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* “The Cheats of Scapin,” Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.; Aug. 29 and Sept. 12 only, 2 p.m. Ends Oct. 3. $18.50-$22.50. (310) 477-2055. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.