Paul Duke (left) and Elliot Weiner argue as the visitors from Chicago have their vacation go downhill. (Courtesy of Tacoma Little Theatre)
In Tacoma Little Theatre's production of "California Suite," four of the cast members get ample opportunity to display their acting abilities. The Neil Simon play has four scenes, two with serious themes, one rather raucous and another a combination of the two.
There are five performers. One, Heidi Walworth-Horn, only plays one character – a barely conscious bimbo passed out in bed after a night of heavy drinking. Not too challenging of a part.
Kathi Aleman and Paul Duke play three roles while Elliot Weiner and Dana Galagan play two.
The strongest performances are turned in by Aleman and Duke in the third scene as the visitors from London. Aleman plays an actress nominated for an Academy Award. She and her husband go to Los Angeles for the ceremony, paid for by a producer or executive connected with the film her character was in.
The first part of the scene happens prior to the ceremony, as the two get dressed and prepared for the big evening. Aleman portrays the stereotype of an insecure, difficult movie star. She frets about the evening gown she has on.
Duke, meanwhile, plays the confident, debonair Englishman perfectly. Decked out in his tuxedo and sipping gin and tonic, he exudes sophistication while observing his wife's flighty behavior.
The second part occurs after the ceremony and Hollywood parties that follow. The pair return drunk and they act it well. The flow of the scene, as intimate details of their marriage are revealed, is very good.
Galagan also has a strong performance as the wife of the man from Philadelphia, suddenly forced to deal with a crisis in her marriage.
Duke and Weiner put in an amusing performance as the two friends from Chicago on vacation with their wives. Their fight scenes are good slapstick comedy.
As the entire play occurs within a hotel room, it limits what a set designer can do. Michael O'Hara makes the most of what the play allows, with a wall in the middle of the stage separating the bedroom from the living room. One room is painted a bright yellow, the other blue, both in shades that convey the sunshine and warmth of Southern California.
There is much more flexibility for costume designer Diane Runkle. She dons the London actress in an outfit that likely would generate cringes from the fashionistas who focus on who is wearing what on the red carpet in Hollywood.
The visitors from Chicago are perfectly dressed as middle aged, middle America married couples of the 1970s out for an afternoon of playing tennis.
"California Suite" runs through Feb. 14. For more information visit Tacoma Little Theatre.
