TOM TITUS -- Theater

A cartoon character whose origin dates back to the Roaring ‘20s is

charming the socks off today’s youngsters at the Newport Theatre Arts

Center, where the Summer Children’s Theater presentation of “Popeye” is

in residence through Aug. 12.

It may be a kids’ show, but Newport’s ‘Popeye’ is a full-blown

production with a musical score, colorful costumes and some truly

outrageous comedy -- with a wink or two toward the adults in the audience

who will pick up on some of the unscripted asides. And there are plenty

of these, including one actor’s signature line from his last appearance

at the center (“I could cry”) and a catch phrase from a popular TV quiz

show. (“You are the weakest link. Goodbye.”)

Director Terri Miller Schmidt has assembled a cast of 31 performers --

most of them well shy of voting age, if not puberty -- and has turned her

five principals loose with a vengeance in their mission of overindulgent

glee. Sight gags abound and audience interaction add to the merriment.

The plot may be lighter than a Road Runner cartoon, but it’s the

execution that sells Newport’s “Popeye.” The show consists of several

attempts by the “bad guys” to thwart the spinach-chomping sailor -- all,

of course, to no avail and each more outlandish than the other.

In the title role, John Gillies could have stepped right out of the

comic pages. Slight of stature, with a gravely voice and an authentic

giggle, Gillies brings the sailor man to life splendidly. It’s obvious

he’s done copious research into “Popeye” cartoons.

His lady love, Olive Oyl, is rail-thin and slightly homely in the

comic pages, factors which Emihlie Wells fortunately does not possess in

her delicious interpretation. She also brings a pleasing singing voice to

the proceedings.

Somewhere between the comics and the stage, Popeye’s adversary Bluto

has become Brutus. Never mind, it’s the same big, dumb roughneck trying

to make time with Olive, and Jack Millis plays this hammy lug to the

hilt, often pausing in his pea-brained villainy to bounce a quip off the

audience. Who would recognize the director of some pretty serious theater

in this characterization?

Speaking of serious theater, Teri Ciranna may be a graduate of

London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, but she plays the villainous Sea

Hag for all the cackling comedy the role is worth. Virtually

unrecognizable behind an extended hook nose, Ciranna excels as the brains

of the treacherous twosome.

And what would a Popeye show be without Wimpy? The rotund, perennially

penniless hamburger zealot is given a hilarious interpretation by Stan

Wlasick, complete with a “fat suit” that rivals the Goodyear blimp.

Wlasick handles the comic relief with alacrity, dodging a cluster of

Statue of Liberty tourists who resemble a coterie of Clara Pellers,

shouting “Where’s the beef?” (one sendup Schmidt inexplicably missed in

her script doctoring).

These tourists, the only other adults in the show, are a colorful lot

and nicely characterized. The balance of the cast consists of 18 children

who scamper on and off and join in the ensemble numbers, staged by

choreographer Tara Pitt, with enthusiasm and glee.

Director Schmidt and her husband, Dick, proprietors of 16th Street

Design, have fashioned a brightly colored, multilevel setting that works

exceptionally well. Costume designer Lyn Frenzel has combined with

parents of the cast members to come up with some beautifully hued

outfits. The show is virtually awash in color.

“Popeye” may not be today’s hottest cartoon character, but the musical

stage incarnation is truly a delight at the Newport Theatre Arts Center.

And you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy it.

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

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

CUTLINE: Popeye (John Gillies) prepares to separate Brutus (Jack

Millis) from Olive Oyl (Emihlie Wells) in the children’s musical “Popeye”

at the Newport Theatre Arts Center.

FYI

What: “Popeye”

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

When: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2:30 Sundays until Aug. 12

Cost: $8

Call: (949) 631-0288