THEATER REVIEW:

While viewing “The Skin of Our Teeth” at Vanguard University, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is, “Is this the same playwright who wrote ‘Our Town’?”

Indeed it is. In fact, Thornton Wilder actually won the Pulitzer Prize for this darkly comic allegory back in 1942, four years after his other Pulitzer winner, “Our Town,” premiered. And even though the college had scheduled this production about a year ago, current events have made it even more topical today.

Basically, Wilder is warning us that history repeats itself, and if we don’t learn our lessons the first time, the pendulum will swing back for a second turn, and a third, and so on. And in the playwright’s vision, life itself is a play, endlessly performed, with frequent interruptions.

At Vanguard, director Susan Berkompas handles the necessarily confusing script — set in the Ice Age, the Great Flood and just after an apocalyptic war — with a coterie of actors who tackle it with dedication and gusto. While its message may not always be glowing with clarity (one comment overheard at intermission: “I think they’re great, but I don’t know what it means”), this show is constantly alive with action.

In the central role of George Antrobus, a sort of everyman for every age (he and his wife are celebrating their 5,000th anniversary), Ryan Miller delivers a stunning and often startling performance. Miller excels particularly in the third act during which he and his son clash in mortal psychological and physical combat.

Paige Murray enacts the role of Mrs. Antrobus on a somewhat lower plane, going unobtrusively along with her husband (this is 1942, remember) until stretched to her breaking point. We experience Wilder’s most satirical thrust in her performance.

The pivotal role of Sabina, the Antrobuses’ maid in the first and third acts but a femme fatale beauty queen in the second, is deliciously rendered by Shelly Orcutt. Hers is a doubly structured assignment, which also includes narration and sorely needed explanation.

Aaron Campbell as the son, Henry (who may be a personification of the biblical Cain), blooms in the final act during his visceral faceoff with Dad. Bethany Lomas takes on the daughter’s role with proper pique.

The production is centered around technical director Paul Eggington’s Swiss army knife of a setting, a covered wagon adaptable into whatever home or other facility is required. Costume designer Lia Hansen has rendered all the actors — except for the dinosaurs (don’t ask) — with pioneer-like outfits reminiscent of “Quilters.”

“The Skin of Our Teeth” is rarely produced today, and even this admirable production might be better served as a classroom acting exercise.

Wilder encourages us to ponder on, as well as experience, his intellectually visceral project.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “The Skin of Our Teeth”

WHERE: Vanguard University, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: Closing performances 8 tonight and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday

COST: $12 and $14

CALL: (714) 668-6145

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