On Theater:

There have been a few shows (“Noises Off” comes to mind) in which one gag is piled onto another and the cast quickly establishes and sustains an atmosphere of perpetual pandemonium.

One such play, which curiously has seen little attention locally, is George Furth’s early 1980s howler “The Supporting Cast.” It’s now holding forth (as a replacement vehicle) at the Newport Theater Arts Center under the inspired direction of Michael Ross.

Furth wove some sure-fire location chuckles into his mix. Four of the five characters are New Yorkers transplanted briefly to the Malibu beachfront in the midst of California’s fire and earthquake seasons. And they’re here to read a new book their hostess has written — using the guests as character inspirations.

The hook here is that each of the five, through either marital or familial ties, is linked to someone famous, hence the title of both the play and the leading character’s book. But she can’t publish it unless each of the four signs a waiver permitting it.

At Newport, Ross has populated his cast with some past masters of physical comedy. At the center is Lori Kelley as the harried writer, whose husband has just walked out and who pulls out all the stops of her ebullient personality to coerce her friends into an alliance.

Commanding the first act (though she sits out most of the second) is Della Lisi as the fragmented “nut case” of the group, popping pills and taking an impromptu ocean dip. Lisi’s performance, though a bit uneven, is outrageously over the top and absolutely hilarious.

She’s matched, however, by Harriet Whitmyer (and her nasal Noo Yawk accent) as an actor’s wife who travels with him on tour primarily to keep the bimbos away.

Whitmyer, long an NTAC favorite, stirs up most of the contention over the offending publication with her gift for lusty physical comedy.

Andrea LaVela plays the only really sane member of the group, a senior citizen who smiles calmly and offers sage advice disguised as bitter Thelma Ritterish retorts.

Lewis P. Leighton struts and frets like a wounded bear over the prospect of published embarrassment and also excels in the broad comedy department.

There is a sixth character in the Newport production — the sliding glass door against which each cast member comes up short at one time or another (Kelley on her curtain call). It’s all part of Andrew Otero’s impressive beachfront patio setting, nicely lit by technical director Mitch Atkins.

If you’re in the mood for a good laugh — or dozens of them — “The Supporting Cast” has them in abundance.

Newport’s is a cast well worth the support.

If You Go

What: “The Supporting Cast”

Where: Newport Theater Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach

When: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays until April 25

Cost: $20

Call: (949) 631-0288

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