ON THEATER:

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of two columns reviewing Huntington Beach theater in 2008.

“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” proved to be the best little stage production at the Huntington Beach Playhouse in 2008.

As this column observed in January, “The current production, under the direction of Larry Watts — who also choreographed and designed the costumes — is a lively, back-slapping, foot-stomping tribute to the fabled ‘Chicken Ranch’ brothel that operated for half a century in a tiny Texas town, until the moral minority of the time had the place closed down.”

And, we added, it “may be a bit dated and quaint by today’s musical theater standards, but as a ’70s satire on ’50s morality, it hits the mark quite nicely.” It did so indeed in the Huntington Beach production.

Runner-up in our annual assessment of the playhouse’s artistic output in 2008 was the reprise of a highly familiar show, “Steel Magnolias.”

To again quote this column, “Director Marla Gam Hudson has chosen a cast of contrasting characters, most of whom fit comfortably into the shoes of the small town Southern ladies who meet crises large and small with grit, gumption and a liberal dose of humor. It’s Southern-fried humor served up with a flourish.”

Another golden oldie ranked in the upper echelon of community theater entertainment. This would be Ayn Rand’s vintage “Night of January 16th,” revived with power and passion by director Earl Byers and a splendid cast.

Three other shows illustrate the balance of the Huntington Beach schedule, none of which hit the mark as solidly as the aforementioned trio. Nevertheless, one of them produced the single-most impressive acting performance of the year.

This would be “Under Papa’s Picture,” which drew this column’s admiration for Justin Young’s work in the leading role.

Specifically, “Young is a button-down force of moralistic fury who fairly flies around the set. He is the principal — and sometimes the only — reason for watching this tired old comedy.”

Best actress laurels for the year must be divided between the mother and daughter team of Autumn Browne and Jenn Proske from “Steel Magnolias.”

As noted in the review, “Proske virtually glows as the young, headstrong Shelby, while Browne delivers a strong, heart-rending account of her mother. Their interaction is particularly well delivered, displaying both fierce streaks of stubbornness and enormous love.”

Other noteworthy individual performances were delivered by Michael Keeney in “Best Little Whorehouse,” Hans Weichhart and Jenny Lanning in “The Good Doctor,” Tony Beckman in “Steel Magnolias,” and the trio of Richard Hawkes, Marisa Person and Candy Beck, all in “Night of January 16th.”

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.