Theater -- Tom Titus

When a golfer gets a “mulligan,” it means he has a second chance after

a bad tee shot. At Costa Mesa’s Trilogy Playhouse, a Mulligan means

artistic security in two aspects of the production -- acting and set

design.

Jim Mulligan (“James” if he’s acting, “Jim” in the technical credits)

is one of the primary reasons for the success of the Trilogy, now in its

third season after five years under another designation in Laguna Niguel.

Four of those previous years also involved the performing and designing

aptitude of the versatile actor/artist.

Since the Trilogy first moved into the facilities vacated by the

Theater District in January 2000, Mulligan’s set designs have been a part

of every production. And he’s also managed to perform in most of them as

well. It’s a double duty he thoroughly enjoys.

He may be playing the monster maker in “Frankenstein,” the prince in

“Cinderella,” the opportunistic showman in “The Sound of Music” or a

whiplash victim in “Rumors” -- all of which he’s done in the past year --

or he could just be creating the physical layout for “Ruthless,” one of

the few Trilogy shows that hasn’t featured his performing acumen. In any

event, Mulligan’s artistic stamp has been on the Playhouse and its Laguna

Niguel predecessor for nearly seven years.

“I really enjoy what I do,” the energetic Mulligan declares. “Acting

and set designing are both part of the creative process. The only

difference is, when I’m finished painting a set, it’s done; it doesn’t

forget its lines.”

Mulligan, who was born in Rancho Palos Verdes and grew up in the Los

Angeles area, got into the theater as an actor at a tender age and

discovered that his penchant for drawing and sketching could serve him

equally well. He was an art major at Saddleback College, where he also

performed frequently onstage.

Now Mulligan works as a freelance artist, “earning enough to be able

to come here and do this for free,” he beams. He hopes one day to earn

his master’s degree, but his designing skills already are providing him

with a nice income. And besides, when would he find the time at his

current pace?

“I’m a starving artist who makes a pretty decent living,” he says.

As the theater’s resident designer, he’s one of the strong right hands

of Artistic Director Alicia Butler, who brought the group to Costa Mesa

and has staged every one of the Trilogy’s shows. The others are Publicity

Director Sharon Simonian and box office stalwart Pat Kane.

In the Trilogy’s first production, “Deathtrap,” Mulligan was the young

playwright, and he subsequently appeared in “Fools,” “Charlie and the

Chocolate Factory,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Little Shop of Horrors,”

“Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Anne of Green Gables,” “Frankenstein,”

“Cinderella,” “The Sound of Music,” and the recently closed “Rumors.”

And that’s just in a little more than two years.

Mulligan, who’s worked at South Coast Repertory as a set painter on

“The Hollow Lands,” lets slip a bit of envy when discussing how larger

professional theaters such as SCR are able to draw thousands, even

millions, of dollars in charitable support, but local playhouses exist

virtually on a shoestring.

“It’s been tough getting donations,” he observes, noting that

corporate generosity seldom extends beyond the large, Equity houses.

Smaller theaters such as the Trilogy have a much tougher financial row to

hoe, he believes.

One of Mulligan’s biggest emotional rewards at the Trilogy is working

with children.

“I love the look on their faces when they come to rehearsal and the

set has been built and painted,” he says.

Though he enjoys a fine working relationship with Butler, this

friendship never guarantees him a role in a show.

“I audition like everybody else,” he declares. “I’ve never gotten a

part from any past favors.”

The future for Jim Mulligan holds more of the same, with the

Huckleberry Finn musical “Big River” next up at the Trilogy, opening June

28. After that comes “Something’s Afoot,” “A Little Princess” and

“Inspecting Carol.”

“The Trilogy has allowed me the opportunity to grow, both as an actor

and a designer,” Mulligan says. “The creative process is a team effort,

and when it all comes together, it’s wonderful.”

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

Pilot. His stories appear Thursdays and Saturdays.