It remains one of the more shameful skeletons in Hollywood’s closet that the creator of “Citizen Kane”—largely regarded as the greatest film ever made— was persona non grata in Tinseltown for most of his career. Orson Welles did have an influential fan in brash British theatre critic Kenneth Tynan, who at one point proposed that Welles direct Laurence Olivier in Ionesco’s “Rhinoceros.”
That’s the juicy premise of Austin Pendleton’s witty but rarely staged play, “Orson’s Shadow,” running through Feb. 5 in Alive Theatre’s production at Long Beach Playhouse. Familiarity is not required with the actors’ respective careers or the absurdist seriocomedy they’re rehearsing, but the in-jokes will add to your enjoyment of the evening; what it boils down to is a clash of superstar egos, and that comes across nicely.
Neither Robert Edwards (Welles) nor Tom Thorn (Olivier) bear a strong resemblance to the legends they portray, but they convey them convincingly, especially Edwards in replicating the great man’s physicality. Cassie Vail Yeager doesn’t look much like Vivien Leigh either, but sharply depicts her mercurial moods.
Ashley Allen (as actress Joan Plowright), Jonathan Lewis (Tynan), and Joe Howells (Sean, a stagehand) offer vivid characterizations in support. Ricci Dedola’s direction is often unimaginative, as in staging a lengthy phone call between Olivier and Leigh; she focuses on performance, where she gets laudable results. Call 562-494-1014 for tix.
David Mamet’s “American Buffalo” gets an outstanding production in an equally rare local staging across the county line in Fullerton. Katie Chidester’s masterful direction is most visible in her impeccable timing.
There are moments when Mamet deliberately offends—as when he uses “jew” for a verb—yet it’s his ear for the way people talk that distinguishes him from many of his contemporaries. This 1975 dramedy—through Feb. 19 at Stagestheatre—still feels fresh; it’s a talky character study of three small-time losers that is ultimately a play about human nature, and a compelling one at that.
Robert Tully excels as Teach, an opportunist who muscles his way into a deal. He’s part of a threesome with terrific chemistry, including Mike Martin as Don, a sympathetic but easily persuaded wheeler-dealer whose second-hand shop provides the setting for the play, and Adam Evans as Bobby, a mentally deficient young man who tries hard to please. Fred Kinney’s junk-cluttered set is a work of art worthy of South Coast Rep. Call 714-525-4484.
More from Jordan:
Best of OC Theatre 2011 http://shar.es/W5mMk
Pulitzer-winning ‘Topdog,’ ‘Car Plays’ staged in Costa Mesa http://shar.es/WRNjq
‘Muses’ in Fullerton, Pete Seeger and pals in Laguna & San Diego http://shar.es/Wi6rN
T.S. Eliot’s “CATS” on the prowl at Segerstrom Center http://shar.es/WT8QM
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