Greasepaint gridlock coming up

Tom Titus

Every so often during the theater season, about two or three times a

year, local stage productions seem to become enveloped in a sort of

logistical gridlock. A week or two goes by with no new openings, and

then several theaters all bring their lights up the same weekend.

This occurrence will manifest itself next weekend, when no fewer

than four theaters in Costa Mesa and at UC Irvine open their latest

shows in the space of three days. Two of these are of the

professional variety; the other two will emanate from local colleges.

South Coast Repertory is premiering its latest attraction, Noah

Haidle’s “Princess Marjorie.” And while the princess holds forth at

SCR, there will be a king across the street. The Orange County

Performing Arts Center brings the celebrated musical “The Lion King”

to Costa Mesa for an extended run -- opening on a weekend rather than

the usual Tuesday evening.

That would constitute a pretty full weekend for those of us who

are expected to catch the first weekend of a show and comment in

print on its merits. But two other shows will be joining the mix next

week -- “Godspell” at Orange Coast College and “Mad Forest” at UC

Irvine.

South Coast Repertory’s Haidle is a young wunderkind whose “Mr.

Marmalade” set a few tongues wagging when it premiered on the

Julianne Argyros Stage last season. “Princess Marjorie” focuses on

two highly imaginative brothers, reflecting on teen romances gone

awry. They fantasize about the object of their affection, once so

innocent and perfect. Then she returns for a visit -- all grown up.

Haidle’s comedy, the theater advises, is meant for adults with a

sense of humor, a sense of the ridiculous and broad-minded attitudes.

It contains adult themes and language.

If you’re looking for a show without “adult themes and language,”

there’s “The Lion King,” which needs little explanation. The Broadway

production, based on the popular Disney animated movie, won all kinds

of Tony awards in its premiere a few years ago, and is in the process

of displaying its innovative theatrical techniques to the rest of the

country.

The Orange County engagement is one of eight productions currently

running worldwide, along with New York, a U.S. national tour, London,

Hamburg, Tokyo, Nagoya and Sydney.

And, while most Center productions run for a brief week, or two at

the most, “The Lion King” will reign through April 24 -- a full

six-week engagement.

“Godspell,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by

John-Michael Tebelak, is hardly new -- its roots are in the late

1960s -- but this hip retelling of the life and work of Christ

through rock music and modern parables continues to entertain local

audiences. It was revived last season at the Costa Mesa Civic

Playhouse.

For the Orange Coast College version, Beth Hansen will be in the

director’s chair, returning after staging a popular “Pippin” last

year. But playgoers will have to act quickly, since the show only

will occupy the Drama Lab for two weekends.

The UC Irvine production, “Mad Forest,” is from Caryl Churchill,

author of “Top Girls” and “Cloud 9,” both former South Coast Rep

productions. Combining the text of actual interviews telling the

blow-by-blow story of the Romanian revolution, and the stories of two

families, connected by the wedding engagements of their children, in

the pre- and post-revolution days, “Mad Forest” is a portrait of a

society in turmoil.

Like “Godspell,” UCI’s “Mad Forest” runs for only two weekends,

closing March 19.

If you’re of a mind to see all four of these new shows, I’d advise

catching the college productions first, while they’re still here,

then check out South Coast Repertory and the Center, where the

attractions will be around for a while.

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

appear Fridays.