Theater Review

Tom Titus

The “evil twin” plot device hardly is unique to American fiction and

hence has been overdue for satirical treatment. Playwright Paula Vogel

has provided this element--along with some trenchant social

commentary--in her jaundiced look at modern American history, “The

Mineola Twins.”

Orange Coast College has discovered this intriguing comedy and director

John Ferzacca stages it with tongue planted firmly in cheek. The humor is

both broad and biting, and the OCC actors attack it ravenously.

As to the title, Mineola being a suburb of New York where, ironically, a

collection of hooker housewives once prevailed, inspiring Edward Albee to

write “Everything in the Garden.”

The “heroines” of Vogel’s outrageous exercise are striking blond ladies,

identical except for one physical factor: The “good” twin resembles Dolly

Parton, while her naughty sister is a ringer for Calista Flockhart.

This makes a demanding assignment for the actress who plays both

characters (it can be mentioned without revealing what the audience will

guess early on anyway), even though two actresses--Jessica and Marie

Hutchinson--are credited. Jessica Marie Hutchinson delivers a beautifully

etched, dual-sided portrayal, switching from the goody-two-shoes to the

“whore of Babylon” in the blink of an eye, pausing only long enough to

adjust the physical accouterments.

Hutchinson’s Myrna, the good twin, opens the story in the 1950s as a

virginal high school coed, fighting off the panting advances of her

boyfriend (Adam Navarro). He later ends up relieving his tensions in the

bed of her sister, Myra, as “Myrna” pounds on the door.

It’s an unabashed sendup of the sexual mores of the ‘50s and the most

skillfully presented element of the show.

We next catch the sisters in the late ‘60s as Myrna--now married with a

14-year-old son (Michael Cavinder)--plots to free her wild sister, who’s

in trouble with the law.

The years have not been kind to Myrna either; she’s wired from medication

and frequently “shorts out” at inopportune moments. And her son, who’s

inherited his aunt’s rebellious nature, is little help.

Moving into the ‘70s, Myra, meanwhile, has a son of her own (Chris

Fowler) who, naturally, is devoted to the mindset of Myrna, now a Dr.

Laura type who preaches to the faithful over the airwaves. Myra,

meanwhile, has become a lesbian and runs an abortion clinic--which her

sister has targeted for destruction--with her lover, skillfully enacted

by Rebecca Muhleman.

Interspersed among the reality are a quartet of dream sequences that make

the “real” satire appear almost mundane.

The OCC ensemble of Jennifer Corum, Andrea Gonzales, Sean Gray, Miracle

Ann Laurie, Robyn McArthur, Isai Quinonez Jr., Akiko Saito and Coley

White provides enormous pantomimic fun--not to mention valuable

transition time for Hutchinson to accomplish her tricky costume changes.

With such continually delicious satirical bites throughout the play, it’s

something of a disappointment that Vogel brings it to an end not with a

bang but a whimper. Audiences may not even be aware that it’s over until

the curtain calls begin.

David Scaglione has created a series of simple but effective settings

that are brought to the fore when needed, then closeted again. Marie de

la Palme nicely guides the ensemble movement, and Erik Lawrence’s

costumes neatly define the various periods.

“The Mineola Twins” is satirical comedy at its most penetrating, with

“both” Jessica and Marie Hutchinson turning in memorable performances.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear

Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

* WHAT: “The Mineola Twins”

* WHEN: Closing performances at 8 tonight through Saturday and 2 p.m.

Sunday

* WHERE: Orange Coast College Drama Lab Theater, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

* HOW MUCH: $6 and $7 in advance, $9 at the door

* PHONE: (714) 432-5880