TOM TITUS -- Theater Review

No one has seriously considered turning “The Bad Seed” into a musical

comedy, but Joel Paley’s “Ruthless” borrows liberally from that play, not

to mention “Gypsy,” “All About Eve” and a few other sources. Costa Mesa’s

Trilogy Playhouse has seized upon this egregious show business spoof and

fashioned a frantically funny farce of the sort that once regaled viewers

of the old Carol Burnett show. You don’t need a copious knowledge of the

golden oldies mentioned above to enjoy the show -- but it certainly

helps.

From the outset, director Alicia Butler stresses the satirical thrust

of the show. “Ruthless” ostensibly centers on a little girl who’ll resort

to anything, including murder, to further her career. But actually, it’s

her mother’s story, from Donna Reed-ish housewife to Bette Davis-esque

show biz queen.

To explain that transition, Paley took heaping portions of material

from the “Bad Seed” script and ran it through his farcical tenderizer

until he had the central elements of “All About Eve” with a little

“Gypsy” thrown in. The result is somewhat mixed, but most of the time --

particularly in its first act -- it’s hilarious camp.

Amy Glinskas -- whose character goes from “Dear Mommy” to “Mommy

Dearest” virtually overnight -- is the satirical centerpiece of the show,

a chirping happy homemaker reticent to turn her 8-year-old daughter loose

in the show biz jungle. By the second act, however, she’s taking her own

bows with a vengeance.

As precocious daughter Tina, Tayler Mettra nicely combines her

character’s sweetness and lethal ambition, offering a terrific vocal

presence as well. Mettra alternates in the role with Emma Degerstedt.

Chris Scott is a dominant presence as a theatrical agent vowing to

take Tina under her wing. She also displays a high-kicking choreographic

presence. Robin La Valley excels in two contrasting characterizations, as

a jaded school musical director and as the maid/understudy to Glinskas in

the second act who, in case anyone should miss the gag, is appropriately

named Eve.

Playing little Tina’s granny, an acerbic theater critic with a

singular distaste for musicals, is Nanci Fast in a richly comic

performance. Susie Hall doubles as the unfortunate student originally

cast in Tina’s play and, in the only caricature going too far over the

top, a tightly wound reporter for Modern Lesbian magazine.

Musical director Gregory Cooke and choreographer Jimmy Hippenstiel

provide the decorative punch for this uproarious comedy, while Jim

Mulligan’s dual settings are quite effective -- particularly the

pink-on-pink living room in the first act. The Trilogy production of

“Ruthless” is local theater’s first look at this mega-farce, which

follows a glorious first act with a somewhat strained second. It’s high

comedy with a special nostalgic touch.

* * *

CALLBOARD: The Trilogy Playhouse will hold auditions from 6:30 to 9:30

p.m. Tuesday for the family theater production “Anne of Green Gables.”

The large cast calls for four children ages 6 to 12, 10 females from 13

to 20, five females 30 to 50, two males 13 to 20 and seven males 30 to

50. The show will open Aug. 10, and all roles are open. Additional

information is available at (714) 957-3347, Ext. 2.

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

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

WHAT: “Ruthless”

WHERE: Trilogy Playhouse, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa

WHEN: Closing performances 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday

COST: $15-$17

TICKETS: (714) 957-3347