‘Voyeur’ Views Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’ in an Extreme Close-Up

Anyone who follows movies or musicals knows we are into the age of rehash. Nostalgic TV shows become flicks, and popular films are born again in the theater.

Hollywood has churned out versions of “The Flintstones” and “Charlie’s Angels,” to name a couple, and Broadway’s latest screen-to-stage hit is based on Mel Brooks’ comedy “The Producers.” What’s next, a tap-dancing take on Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”?

Not exactly. The often experimental Hunger Artists Theatre Company has adapted “Rear Window” for its tiny Santa Ana Stage with the title “Voyeur.” Gratefully, it’s a straight drama (no warbling by the James Stewart or Grace Kelly characters), but you do wonder why Melissa Petro, Hunger’s artistic director, wanted to do “Voyeur” in the first place.

Petro, who not only adapted but also directed and designed the production, isn’t interested in adding fresh layers to Hitchcock’s 1954 classic. We don’t learn more about photographer L.B. Jeffries (Stewart played him) and his obsession with spying on his mostly boring neighbors or the complex (and vaguely creepy) romance between him and the much younger socialite, Lisa (Kelly played her).

Instead, Petro follows “Rear Window” nearly scene for scene, frequently using the movie’s dialogue. Even her main actors reflect the celluloid, with pretty Larissa Cahill presenting a remarkable impersonation of Kelly’s thoroughbred style and chic spunk. John Beane doesn’t do the ambling Stewart, but he does suggest the actor’s low-key confidence.

There’s a jolt of disappointment early on, upon realizing that “Voyeur” isn’t about to be more challenging. Since we already know the ending, Petro isn’t able to generate any suspense. Instead, she works on building tension as Jeffries becomes more and more involved with other people’s lives as he sits in his apartment, recovering from a broken leg.

He stares into open windows as the fit Ms. Torso (Lorena Ramirez), the beau-less Ms. Lonely Heart (Christine Cummings), the artistic Piano Man (Norman Major III) and the randy Newlywed (Chris Fowler) do their thing, casually speculating on what they’re all about.

The reluctant Lisa is eventually as intoxicated by the peeping as Jeffries.

By far the most compelling is Mr. Thorwald (the scowling Mark Palkoner), a brute who apparently killed his wife. Petro’s clever set puts all his suspicious actions right in front of us as his room, and those of the other neighbors, are at the back of the cramped stage, not 20 feet from the audience.

Shades are lowered then raised. Lights go dim and then brighten as doors open and events unfold. It all makes for an almost claustrophobic immediacy as Jeffries and Thorwald move to their violent confrontation.

“Voyeur,” Hunger Artists Theatre Company, 204 E. 4th St., Suite 1, Santa Ana. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7:30 p.m.; and June 18, 8:30 p.m. Through June 24. $10 and $12. (714) 547-9100.