THEATER REVIEW

Tom Titus

Good plays usually beget memorable movies, but occasionally it’s the

other way around, and we get the stage musicals “Promises, Promises” and

“Applause” from Oscar winners “The Apartment” and “All About Eve,”

respectively.

One of the most noteworthy examples of screen-to-stage metamorphosis

is “‘Victor/Victoria,” the musical comedy inspired by the movie of the

same name with Julie Andrews headlining both versions. Toni Tennille

brought it to the Orange County Performing Arts Center a few years ago,

and now it’s being produced -- brilliantly -- by UC Irvine’s Claire

Trevor School of the Arts at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

With a matchless pedigree -- book by Blake Edwards, lyrics by Leslie

Bricusse and music by Henry Mancini -- “Victor/Victoria” excels in all

three departments under the superlative staging of Eli Simon at UCI. Its

central plot of a woman entertainer impersonating a female impersonator

is rich with comic overtones, and the university’s high-energy cast

delves out all the script’s rich comic nuggets.

Gay Paree has never been gayer than this glance at the French capital

in 1932 (although it’s doubtful that this synonym for homosexuality had

yet been coined by that period, even though it’s tossed around with

abandon). But out-of-work songstress Victoria Grant isn’t having much

fun, until an entertainer/benefactor hits on the idea of displaying her

talent in the guise of a female impersonator. Her career goes through the

roof.

Jen Colella is marvelous as the slightly built Victoria who passes

herself off as the opposite gender only to fall for a macho Chicago

“businessman” for whom the feeling is mutual -- and scary, because he

thinks she’s a he. Colella possesses an operatic voice and a fine

interpretive skill, which serves her well both as a musical comedy star

and a conflicted young lady wrestling with matters of romance.

As Toddy, the gay showman who discovers and nurtures her, Jason

Michael Spelbring imbues his role with a comic flair and a warm heart.

Spelbring may subdue his performing talent when Colella takes the

spotlight, but he takes the stage with a smooth command when it’s

offered.

Scene stealers have been around since Thespus, but what Lisa Clayton

commits at UCI amounts to grand larceny. As the ultimate ditsy blond with

an attitude, Clayton generates enough comic electricity to keep the

Barclay lighted for weeks. Her “Paris Makes Me Horny” solo is the show’s

high point in hilarity.

Andrew Samonsky has some fine moments as the conflicted gangster

(oops, make that “businessman”) who tumbles for Victor/Victoria. Martin

Swoverland as his semi-macho bodyguard is a fine switch from the Damon

Runyan types that inspired his character.

Physical comedy is ever prevalent, particularly during an extended

in-one-door-and-out-the-other bit involving the principals, along with

grungy rival club owner Glenn E. Kalison and Jacqueline van Biene, whose

tipsy , loose-kidneyed chambermaid is a howl. Shannon Jarrell has some

nice moments as the owner of the classier club, though her French accent

often interferes with her diction.

Choreographer Bob Boross has created some sizzling sequences, notably

the “Le Jazz Hot” and Apache dance numbers, which throb under the juicy

sounds of music director Dennis Castellano’s pit orchestra.

Kyle Becker’s outstanding Parisian settings and Andrea Daniel’s superb

costumes complete the picture splendidly.

“Victor/Victoria” offers ensemble excellence throughout, even though

Lisa Clayton’s Norma nearly walks off with the show at every opportunity.

UCI’s show stands toe to toe with the professional touring version that

played the Center three years ago.

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

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

* WHAT: “Victor/Victoria”

*& WHERE: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine

* WHEN: 8 p.m. today through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

* COST: $8-$37

* CALL: (949) 824-2787