Theater -- Tom Titus

At South Coast Repertory, the bill of theatrical fare runs the gamut

from the really old to the brand new, as evidenced by the productions SCR

has on the playbill for January.

This weekend, the company revisits a favorite playwright, Moliere,

whose “Tartuffe” introduced SCR to local audiences back in 1965. The

following two weeks, however, will see a pair of world premieres born

under the SCR banner.

Moliere’s “The School for Wives” inaugurates the new year on the main

stage of the company’s two-, going on three-, theater complex under the

direction of SCR associate artist David Chambers. This 17th century

comedy focuses on an obsessively jealous old man who chooses his bride

when she’s a very young girl and proceeds to keep her sequestered from

all male eyes until the day they can be wed.

Dakin Matthews, who excelled in the role of C.S. Lewis in SCR’s

“Shadowlands” a few seasons back, heads the cast in the demanding role of

Arnolphe, with company newcomer Emily Bergl as the object of his

affection. The cast includes founding artists Richard Doyle, Hal Landon

Jr., Martha McFarland and Don Took, along with Daniel Blinkoff (seen

recently in “Nostalgia”) and Francois Giroday, who appeared in SCR’s

“Private Lives” and “The Philanderer.”

Coming up in two weeks will be another in a series of SCR world

premieres: “Making It” by Joe Hortua, a comedy set in a Manhattan

restaurant served by waiters and bus boys with theatrical ambitions.

A typical story about restaurant workers pursuing theater careers?

Somehow that seems doubtful, as it’s being presented on South Coast

Repertory’s Second Stage under the direction of company co-founder David

Emmes. Playwright Hortua has an extensive background that should produce

some provocative characters and situations.

Between “School for Wives” and “Making It,” SCR will unveil its 2002

Educational Touring Production, a topical object lesson titled “Power

Play” about the importance of conserving energy. The script, by Richard

Hellesen and Michael Silversher, addresses issues important to

Californians and ties in with elementary school curriculum as it brings

live theater to students, some for the first time.

John-David Keller is directing “Power Play,” which features

performances by Joe Alanes, Hisa Takakuwa, Mark Coyan and Jesse Jiminez.

The show’s running time is 45 minutes, and it is available for booking at

any elementary school in the Southern California area.

Educators intending to secure “Power Play” for their students should

call SCR’s Education Office at (714) 708-5549. For tickets to “School for

Wives” or “Making It,” call the theater at (714) 708-5555.

* TOM TITUS writes about and reviews local theater for the Daily

Pilot. His stories appear Thursdays and Saturdays.