STAGE WEST: "Scapin" at North Coast Repertory Theatre

Paul Thomas Slade (left) and Omri Schein in "Scapin."                                          Photo by Aaron Rumley

             Moliere knew how to craft a mischief-maker, and his Scapin the Schemer is a mischief -maker. The play of the same title was first produced in 1671. Mischief-makers like Scapin remain popular with comedy theater patrons to this day.
            Including, presumably, those at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach, which staged “Tartuffe” a couple of years ago and is now offering “Scapin,” an adaptation of this Moliere play by Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell. Directed at a dizzying pace by Christopher Williams and with a cast that includes North Coast Rep Artistic Director David Ellenstein, “Scapin” is silly, over-the-top diversion that melds commedia dell’arte and French farce with vaudeville, slapstick and even a little Keystone Cops.
            As I often say with this brand of comedy, for me a little of it goes a long way. The first act of “Scapin,” in which the titular servant (Paul Thomas Slade) manipulates money out of rich gasbags Argante (James Newcomb) and Geronte (Ellenstein) on behalf of their love-smitten sons Octave (Miles Blue) and Leandre (Tim Frangos), might well have been the entire play. One act, no intermission (words that always gladden my heart). When Act One is over you’re inclined to wonder “Now what?”
            But the second act of “Scapin” with its physical hi-jinks and the much-needed presence of its female characters is more fun. So I guess it’s worth waiting for!
            Irwin and O’Donnell’s script based on Moliere’s play comes off somewhat like an idea Mel Brooks might have considered then ultimately discarded. Most everything is obvious and played big. Real big.
            On the other hand, the creators have given producing theaters the leeway to improvise, to break the fourth wall and to adapt the narrative somewhat to their own spaces and audiences. Exploiting this is when North Coast Rep’s production, closing the theater’s 44th season, is most appealing.
            Slade, bespectacled and in a baggy-pants kind of clown suit, is an excellent improviser and his many wink-winks to the audience imply that “Hey, we’re not doing ‘Hamlet’ here. Just sit back and enjoy!’” When he speaks directly to the crowd, you’re not pulled out of the story because, come on, the story’s not that important.
            Slade’s partner in crime is the dependably hilarious Omri Schein, who’s two heads shorter, making them an unlikely duo but enhancing the interplay between them. Schein, playing the mischief-abetting Sylvestre, revels in complete actor’s freedom in “Scapin” whether it’s doing voices, broad gestures or simply dead-stare reacting. He even gets a moment to anachronistically spout familiar lines from ‘70s movies like “Taxi Driver,” “Network,” “And Justice For All” among others.
            As for Ellenstein, whom you usually see on opening night addressing audiences in a finely tailored suit, he’s the butt of one of Scapin’s visually rich retribution gags in Act Two, forced into a huge sack and subjected to “abuse” from cast and audience members alike.  
            Director Williams’ game-for-anything cast also features Gabbie Adner and Marie Zolezzi as the sons’ sassy wives and the underused Sophia Oberg as the Nerine character. Also underused but making the utmost out of his presence behind a faux-piano and assisting with props is David McBean.
            The inspired period costumes are the work of Elisa Benzoni, who did the same for NC Rep’s “Tartuffe.” “Scapin” also marks the last set design there from the recently passed Marty Burnett. Its working doors and windows and its bright colors are ideally compatible with the spirit of the show.
            “Scapin” (it’s pronounced SKUH-PAN, by the way) strikes me as one of those affairs where the actors get to start-to-finish have a ball while those of us in the audience choose our spots. We’ve got to be in just the right mood to totally give ourselves over to the wackiness.
            “Scapin” runs through Aug. 16 at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach.