Colonial comedy and Cinderella satire open

Tom Titus

When you think of religious fervor in 17th century Massachusetts, the

first thing that leaps to theatergoers’ minds probably would be “The

Crucible.” When you think of “Cinderella,” that classic fairy tale

invariably comes to mind.

Well, these topics are the subject of two plays opening in Costa

Mesa this weekend, but don’t look for anything approaching

traditional styling in either. South Coast Repertory’s world premiere

of Amy Freed’s “Safe in Hell” is billed as a comedy focusing on

real-life Puritans Cotton Mather and his father, Increase, while “The

Cinderella Waltz” at the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse offers a

different, satirical slant on the girl with the glass slipper.

Freed, SCR regulars might remember, has unveiled two previous

productions on the local stage -- “Freedomland” and “The Beard of

Avon,” both directed by theater co-founder David Emmes, who’s also

helming “Safe in Hell.” This time around, Freed’s taking a crack at

the old-time religious leaders of New England about 100 years before the United States was born.

The crux of the comedy is Cotton Mather’s struggle to be perceived

as important as his father, and the play draws a satiric parallel to

today’s politicians (George I and George II). For Crucible fans,

there’s also a generous helping of Salem’s witch hysteria thrown in

when a third cleric, Reverend Doakes, becomes entangled in this dark

chapter of American history.

Robert Selia will portray Cotton Mather, with Graeme Malcolm

co-starring as his dad, Increase, both making their SCR debuts. Simon

Billig, who’s performed in seven previous SCR shows, including

“Freedomland,” is cast as Doakes. Completing the cast are Madison

Dunaway, Suzanne Jamieson, Colette Kilroy, Hal Landon Jr., Tracey A.

Leigh, Elisa Richardson and Don Took.

“Safe in Hell” plays through May 9 on the Segerstrom Stage at SCR,

655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Call (714) 708-5555 for ticket

information.

At the Civic Playhouse, “The Cinderella Waltz” will offer a

slightly jaundiced look at a folk classic in playwright Don Nigro’s

rendition. Kyle Myers is directing the comedy, which producer Kelly

Kenny terms “an intelligent fractured fairy tale with lots of

literary allusions.”

Cinderella -- or Rosey Snow, as she’s known in this play -- does

get to the ball by the traditional means, her fairy godmother, with

an assist from the village idiot. When the prince comes, slipper in

hand, in search of her, however, the tale takes an unexpected twist.

Returning playhouse favorites Adriana Sanchez and Linda Reinert

are featured as Rosey and her stepmother, respectively. Janet

McGregor will enact the magical godmother, with Mark Phillips cast as

the prince. Others in the Costa Mesa cast are Kimberly Arnold, Jason

Kraft, Ryan Holland, Ivar Vasco and Chrissy Tiholiz.

“The Cinderella Waltz” will play on through May 2 at the Civic

Playhouse, 661 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa, with performances Thursdays

through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Call (949)

650-5269 for ticket information.

DEEP BLUE SEA

Yet another theatrical production is being presented in Costa

Mesa. The new Deep Blue Sea Repertory opened an evening of original

works by Orange Coast College students last weekend and will offer

the shows Saturdays and Sundays through April 25.

“Charles Bronson and Other Men of Mettle” by Andrew Vonderschmitt

tells the story of three people -- some friends, some lovers, who

find themselves struggling to cope with the blame and burden of

having AIDS and how it affects their ability to function with each

other.

“The System of Wants” is about “what we want, what we think we

want, what we need and what we settle for and how we never know the

difference between them,” playwright Sean Gray said. Gray is

directing Vonderschmitt’s play and Vonderschmitt is staging Gray’s,

and each actor/writer performs in his own.

The one-acts will be staged at 8 p.m. Saturdays and at 2 and 7

p.m. Sundays at Black Lion Comics and Cards in Victoria Square, 1125

Victoria St., Unit G, Costa Mesa. Ticket information is available at

(714) 751-8491.

BABES IN ARMS

Newport Harbor High School’s theater arts department will stage

the musical comedy “Babes in Arms” by Rodgers and Hart next week in

the Lyceum Theater at Costa Mesa High School.

Directed and choreographed by Roberta Kay, with musical direction

by Bill Wolfe, the show will be presented Wednesday through Sunday at

7 p.m., with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 at the door, with students admitted for $5 at the

Wednesday and Thursday performances. Call (949) 650-2502 for reserved

seating or (949) 515-6341 for additional information.

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

appear Fridays.