Murder’s not so funny at Trilogy

Tom Titus

When the Trilogy Playhouse mapped out its 2002 season, the October

slot was to be occupied by a musical comedy on the subject of murder,

“Something’s Afoot.” However, the theater wasn’t able to cast the

show, so artistic director Alicia Butler turned to another play with

the same theme -- only a bit on the darker side.

It had originally been scheduled for Trilogy’s first season and

then replaced. Next weekend, the subject will still be murder, as the

Trilogy revives Maxwell Anderson’s chilling drama of a pre-teen

murderess, “The Bad Seed.” Old-time movie fans will recall the 1956

screen version featuring Patricia McCormack as the lethal young

Rhoda.

Performances of “The Bad Seed” will be given Fridays and Saturdays

at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 5 p.m., through Oct. 27. But

don’t expect the hoked-up ending from the movie. Back in 1956, people

who killed couldn’t just walk away at the fade-out, so little Rhoda

was struck by lightning -- a jarring switch from what Anderson and

novelist William March originally had in mind.

The Trilogy Playhouse is at 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Reservations are being taken at (714) 957-3347, ext. 1. “The Bad

Seed” is appropriate for ages 12 and up, but parental discretion is

advised.

No sooner will “The Bad Seed” hit the boards than the Trilogy will

be holding auditions for its next production, the comedy “Inspecting

Carol.” This is a farce revolving around a struggling theater company

presenting Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

Tryouts will be held Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. for a cast of

three women, five men (one African-American) and two boys. All roles

are open and scripts may be picked up after 5:30 p.m. on the day of

the audition.

“Inspecting Carol” will be presented Nov. 30 through Dec. 15 at

the playhouse. More information is available at the above phone

number.

‘Mousetrap’

at Vanguard

Murder is also the theme at Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University as

its theater department prepares to mount its opening production of

the 2002-03 season, Agatha Christie’s popular whodunit “The

Mousetrap.”

This thriller -- which has been playing in London continuously

since the 1950s -- involves murder most foul at an isolated country

inn. Of course, it’s a dark and stormy night.

Greg Mortensen is the guest director for the Christie mystery,

which opens Oct. 18 and plays through the 27th, Thursdays through

Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.. The plot will

unfold at Vanguard’s Lyceum Theater, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.

Ticket information is being dispensed at (714) 668-6145.

Ralston joins SCR conservatory

Broadway singer and actress Teri Ralston has joined the faculty at

South Coast Repertory’s Theater Conservatory, teaching a new class in

musical theater.

Ralston, who has performed locally at SCR and the Laguna

Playhouse, began her professional career in “Jacques Brel is Alive

and Well and Living in Paris,” followed by roles in the original

Broadway productions of “Company” and “A Little Night Music.” She

starred in “Mame,” directed many shows in the Southland and has

appeared frequently on television.

The SCR Conservatory’s fall session for students ages 18 and older

begins Oct. 14 with weekly classes Mondays through Thursday evenings

for nine weeks. The curriculum also includes acting, improvisation,

dramatic writing and playwriting. Enrollment information is available

at (714) 708-5577.

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

Pilot. His reviews appear Thursdays and Saturdays.