Re-play

Joyce Scherer

There won’t be any nodding off when OCC’s production of “Wild Oats” hits

the stage next week.

Just imagine about 40 actors performing a spoof of the Old West, complete

with all the hilarity and physical comedy that has been part of the

popular play since its inception in the 18th century.

In the mid-1980s it was a big hit at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles,

but it hasn’t been done around here in a while, said OCC theater

professor Alex Golson, who directs the production in its revamped

setting.

“It’s a real physical comedy that takes place in Muleshoe, Texas, in the

late 19th century and is full of villains and good guys,” he said. “I

would say it is pretty appropriate for the whole family, maybe with a

PG-13 rating.”

The show, which will be performed Sunday and Thursday through Nov. 21, is

based on the famous 18th century Restoration comedy by John O’Keeffe,

which is set in an English drawing room. However, McLure’s version mainly

takes place in a saloon and is full of “F Troop”-type cavalry, ham

actors, honky-tonk dancers and cowboys -- complete with outlandish

situations and dialogue, at times bordering on slapstick.

Starring is Tracy Downs as Kate Thunder, Michael Cavinder as Jack Rover,

Alecs Zildosa as the Irish Indian scout Crow and David Scaglione as

retired 7th Calvary Col. Croftus Thunder.

The play is about morality and virtue, Scaglione said.

“It is a satire about how young people tend to pursue selfish ambitions

and regret them later on,” added the longtime OCC instructor, who teaches

set design, along with acting and stage makeup classes. He is also

responsible for construction of all the sets used by the college’s drama

department.

Scaglione said the play is a lot of fun with a great cast of actors.

“My character is kind of ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody-meets-Col.

Sanders-meets-Gen. Custer,” he said. “A couple of times, l sound like a

chicken commercial, and other times I’m ready to take on Annie Oakley.”

Scaglione said doubling as set creator also gives him an edge most

designers don’t get.

“A lot of designers never get on their own stages,” he said. “And they

don’t know how to act against their own scenery. Being able to move

around the set I have created, gives me a perspective I really like.”

Cavinder, 18, a 6-foot-6 OCC freshman, says his lead role as Jack Rover

has been a complete learning experience.

“My character is an actor who is very narcissistic,” he said. “And I’m

not used to playing that type of role. I am used to playing a more

sincere, humble role; so this is really different for me. But I am

learning a lot from this play, mainly because Alex is such a good

director.”

Cavinder, who became interested in theater during his senior year of high

school, said being tall doesn’t necessarily mean acting “big” on stage.

“Through this play, I’ve learned to be bigger and more outgoing on

stage,” he said. “I have usually moved as little as possible, because I

have not been very secure with my movements.

“Through this play, I have learned to be more natural and also to stand

up straight. Because of my height, I usually don’t do that, so one of the

other benefits of the play is that I am getting great posture.”------

FYI

* WHAT: “Wild Oats”

* WHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday and Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Nov. 21

* WHERE: OCC’s Drama Lab Theatre, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

* HOW MUCH: Advance tickets are $6 and $7; $8 and $9 at the door

* PHONE: (714) 432-5880