Review: On Theater: It’s a date for ‘Calendar Girls’

Who would pay for a calendar featuring a half-dozen middle-aged and older ladies in various forms of undress? Turns out, quite a few, if one is to put credence in the dramatic comedy “Calendar Girls.”

Playwright Tim Firth based his 2003 movie on the true story of a group of British women who posed for a nude calendar in 1999 to raise money for leukemia research after the disease had made one of them a widow.

Newport Theatre Arts Center seized upon this story to present an involving production that’s heavy on comedy but packed with enough dramatic meat to comprise a satisfying mixture. It also offers a female-dominated cast that’s quite adept at going for the comedic jugular one moment and switching to dead seriousness the next.

There are a few uneven occasions during the early going, but the ladies, much like their British dialogue, prove easy to grow accustomed to. And all have their moments on center stage — even if much of their chatter is directed to the audience rather than to their fellow actresses.

Most adept of the bunch is Della Lisi Kerr as Chris, the ultra-organizer who sets the whole calendar ball rolling and convinces the others to participate. Kerr, whose own figure is the most calendar-ready, is the driving force of both the story and the Newport production.

Also quite stunning is Nancy Higley as Celia, a voluptuous senior citizen who’s up for just about anything. Michelle Miller-Day adopts a more reserved quality as the widow who gamely lends her support.

The vicar’s daughter, Cora, is a plum role for Mary Pat Gonzales, who turns uncertainty into a comic virtue. Lorraine Winslow scores as Jessie, a sharp-tongued senior citizen, while Roxanne Martinez cuts a wide comic swath as the reluctant Ruth, who steals her scenes garbed in rabbit regalia.

The show, under the nimble direction of Robert Fetes, features several fine supporting performances, including Andrea LaVeta’s turn as the proper leader of the Women’s Institute, Brian Bond’s double duty as photographer and movie cameraman, Thom Gilbert and Jim Gittelson as supportive husbands and Michelle Bendetti as a makeup lady who stirs a simmering Ruth into a shrieking virago when her dalliance with Ruth’s husband comes to light.

“Calendar Girls” may be remembered from the cinematic version starring Helen Mirren. It’s quite a kick on the stage as well, nicely blending hilarity and heartache, often within the same scene, in this enjoyable production at the Newport Theatre Arts Center.

If You Go

What: “Calendar Girls”

Where: Newport Theatre Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach

When: Through July 2; 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at 8 p.m.

Cost: $20

Information: (949) 631-0288 or visit ntaconline.com.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater.