‘Oklahoma Rigs’ drills into past at Vanguard

Playwright David McFadzean has built himself an impressive track record in the television sitcom field. Besides writing skits for the likes of Carol Burnett and Roseanne Barr, he created the TV series “Home Improvement.”

His roots, however, are in theater, and among his works for the stage is the folksy comedy “Oklahoma Rigs.” Director Vanda Eggington, who worked with McFadzean in San Diego theater two decades ago, has brought this goofy but delightful play to the stage of Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University.

“Oklahoma Rigs” takes its audiences back to 1960, when a widowed father is raising a son and two daughters in a backwater town where the only real employment can be found in the oil fields -- unless (like the older daughter) you prefer waitressing on roller skates at a drive-in.

Sam Sampson (Mark Parker) has been a rigger since his wife’s death -- though he’d really rather be a veterinarian -- and he’s managed to secure his son (A.J. Teaters) and the son’s buddy (William Pruett) employment on the rigs as well. Trouble is, the boys have set their sights somewhat higher -- turning the engine in the kitchen and the chassis in the garage into a trucking empire.

Older daughter Virla (Christi Brixey) would love to get off her skates and into a real career, preferably with Pruett in tow. Younger sister Cally (Mary Hering, double-cast with Jennifer K. Nelson) has her own project, playing Cupid to a hen and rooster (complete with soft music, wine, candlelight and her dad’s aftershave lotion).

Into this already off-center mix come a flighty, chatty neighbor lady (Kathryn Scott) and a hometown girl who’s hit it big as a Hollywood model (Cierra Mosby) and ignites Pruett’s slow-burning fire.

Eggington’s production starts off in relatively low gear, but it’s not long before the comedy kicks in. Vanguard’s fine student cast attacks McFadzean’s material with gusto, culminating in a frenzied moment of ensemble craziness when best-laid plans go south.

Teaters’ upbeat, positive attitude (he’s been reading Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People”) contrasts splendidly with buddy Truett’s more laconic personality. These two actors propel the story, particularly in a scene-closing segment where they imagine themselves big-league truckers.

Parker’s wise, steady father finds another contrast in Scott’s giddy neighbor lady, dutifully bringing jars of apple butter that none of the family members can stand. Brixey is delightful as the elder daughter who needs a shot of self-confidence to augment her sublimated attractiveness.

Hering’s little sister is a particular joy as she caters to her pet chicken (live, and a real scene-swiper) and an unseen rooster companion. Mosby struts her stereotyped stuff effectively, holding Pruett in thrall with her down-home version of Marilyn Monroe while balancing an (unseen) jealous Italian boyfriend.

Michael Mulligan’s spick-and-span kitchen setting and Lia Hansen’s striking period costumes enhance the production considerably, as does David Macy-Beckwith’s contributions as dialogue coach, creating a believable Midwestern twang for the actors. Fifties music prevails throughout, played on 45 rpm records.

Vanguard, through director Eggington, has received special permission to stage “Oklahoma Rigs,” a Kennedy Center award-winning unpublished work, and the result is an enjoyable evening of down-home hilarity.

The show is dark this holiday weekend, but returns Dec. 1 for final performances.

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

IF YOU GO:

* WHAT: “Oklahoma Rigs”

* WHERE: Vanguard University Lyceum Theater, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

* WHEN: Dark this weekend; final performances Dec. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m., Dec. 3 at 2 and 8 p.m., Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.

* COST: $8 to $10