THEATER REVIEW -- Tom Titus

No matter your depth of theatrical experience, it’s doubtful that

you’ve witnessed anything like “Love of Three Oranges” at UC Irvine.

This comic fairy tale fantasy, written by Carlo Gozzi in 1761, has

been streamlined (“updated” is not quite the proper word) into a

kaleidoscope of comedy, color and movement. Especially movement, where

the efforts of director Annie Loui, who also serves as choreographer, are

particularly in evidence.

Played without intermission, “Three Oranges” is what you might expect

had Stephen Sondheim dropped a little acid before writing “Into the

Woods.” The texture is a melange of 1960s multicolor images bolstered by

balletic movement and enlightened comic touches, bringing an ancient folk

tale into the here and now.

The story, such as it is, involves a melancholy prince (dying, his

father says, of “terminal hypochondria”) who can only be saved if someone

causes him to laugh. Elements of the royal court have vested interests in

keeping the young man morose, and are thwarted by the successful efforts

of a spirited jester.

This triggers a vengeful curse from the sorceress on the losing side,

who compels the young man to search for three large oranges, one of which

contains his intended bride. Thus begins a quest dotted with outlandish

misadventures, all colorfully and artfully executed.

Jason Michael Spelbring excels as the confused prince, with Donnetta

Grays usurping the spotlight repeatedly as the hip jester. Jenn Colella

gives her true princess a pronounced Southern accent, enhancing her comic

performance, while Steven Ivey is strong as the prince’s father, the King

of Hearts.

The real stars of the show, however, are Andrew Samonsky and Carrie

Baker, who do battle repeatedly as the forces of good and evil,

respectively. Samonsky resembles a benign version of Ming the Merciless

from the old Flash Gordon serials, while the seductively garbed Baker

revels in her fiendish deeds. Their splendidly choreographed showdown is

the high point of the production.

Other effective performances come from Corey Allen as the king’s

right-hand man, William Trevino and Ailene King as court conspirators and

Sara Parry as a ditsy pawn in the evil sorceress’ scheme.

Scenic designer Jodi Anne Monaco has fashioned a marvelous, movable

setting of colorful pieces, capped by a plethora of wind chimes above the

stage. And the bubbles descending stageward in the finale are an inspired

touch.

Brenda Mercure’s costumes carry a futuristic aura that beautifully

matches the design of the production -- especially those worn by

adversaries Samonsky and Baker. John Ballinger created the original

musical background and Lonnie Rafael Alcarez supplies the perfect

lighting designs for a show that could be set in a 22nd century

discotheque.

UCI’s production of “Love of Three Oranges” takes the fairy tale

where only David Mamet’s “Revenge of the Space Pandas” and a few others

have gone before, with an elaborate mixture of color and comedy filling

out the pencil-thin story line. Visually, these “oranges” make up a

bountiful orchard.

FYI

* What: “Love of Three Oranges”

* When: Closing performances 8 p.m. today through Friday, and 2 and 8

p.m. Saturday

* Where: Winifred Smith Hall at the campus, corner of Campus and

University drives in Irvine

* Cost: $7-$15

* Call: (949) 824-2787