War is hellish fun in ‘Biloxi Blues’

Tom Titus

Anyone who has served in the military can identify with the hapless

recruits in Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues,” particularly the meticulous

process of dehumanization known as basic training.

Simon wrote this seriocomic study of the civilian’s first glimpse

of Army life -- based on his own experiences in 1943, when the United

States was embroiled in World War II -- as the second episode in an

autobiographical trilogy. The play is enjoying a spirited revival at

the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse.

Director Michael Dale Brown, who underwent his own basic training

in 1969 at the height of the Vietnam conflict, has fashioned a

gritty, often grim production that nevertheless clings to its comedic

roots. This is, after all, Neil Simon.

“Biloxi Blues” focuses on Simon’s alter ego, Eugene Morris Jerome,

who both performs in and narrates the story of a training platoon of

diverse individuals being molded into a functioning unit by an

overbearing and somewhat psychotic sergeant. It’s the recruits’

individual reactions to the continual physical and psychological

browbeating they endure that flesh out this intriguing story.

In the central role of Eugene, Paul Pakler (who’ll be replaced by

Carlos E. Campos for the last two weekends) turns in a terrific,

finely nuanced performance. As he drops wry comments to the audience

on various occasions, Pakler brings us up close and personal to a

GI’s first military experience while zestfully pursuing his own three

ambitions -- to lose his virginity, fall in love and write a novel,

for which he keeps copious notes.

His fellow Jewish intellectual, Epstein, a wimpy looking lad with

a surprising reservoir of resolve, is splendidly enacted by Rodney

Pallanck. Pallanck’s character continually attempts to apply Talmudic

logic to the Army’s illogical situations, often with hilariously

unfortunate results.

Wielding the iron fist in the barracks as the sadistic Sgt.

Toomey, Ryan Holihan strains to establish his authority, and is not

always razor sharp in the process. However, he conveys his

frightening domination effectively as well as his scary persona,

projecting all the charm of a coiled rattlesnake.

Robert DuBois, as barracks bully Wykowski, enriches his assignment

with his sheer physical presence as does Travis Stolp, to a lesser

degree, as his buddy Selridge. Joaquin Nunez effectively conveys the

seemingly out-of-place Carney, who yearns for a singing career, while

John Schwendinger (who’ll be spelled the last two weekends by Joseph

Marshall) is fine as the reticent Hennessy.

One of the play’s funniest sequences is the soldiers’ visit to a

brothel, in which the matronly Rowena (Kay Richey, to be replaced by

Terra Taylor-Knudson) attempts to alleviate the guys’ first-time

jitters. It’s matched by a more tender scene where Eugene falls,

shyly, in love with a dance hall hostess, played beautifully by

Alyson Fainbarg (with Melissa B. Scott booked for the final two

weekends).

Brown’s effective multi-locale setting incorporates the barracks,

mess hall and latrine, as well as the cathouse, USO dance hall and,

most effectively, the train carrying the GIs to and from their

Mississippi misery.

“Biloxi Blues” may speak of a war long ago and far away, but it

serves to bring home the conflicts of today and, most likely,

tomorrow. For those who have served, the Neil Simon seriocomedy will

vigorously stir the memory banks.

FYI

* WHAT: “Biloxi Blues”

* WHERE: Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, 611 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa

* WHEN: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

until May 1

* COST: $15

* CALL: (949) 650-5269

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

appear Fridays.