Mesa Little Theatre's Sabrina Fair at The Mesa Arts Center
(out of 
)Mark S.P. Turvin
(home office) (602) 912-0117
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
Reviewed 3/18/99
(out of )I must admit that, in that past, I have been rough in my reviews of Mesa Little Theatre productions. I tended to see them as the also-ran to geographically neighboring Tempe Little Theatre. Imagine my surprise when I found myself impressed with their latest production, Samuel Taylor's classic parlor comedy from the early 50's, Sabrina Fair, the basis of both the Sabrina movies. With their increased technical merits, their impressive talent base of actors for this production, and the choice of an excellent Director, Wanda Dittman, whose seamless staging and dandy directorial flourishes keep this long-winded play moving at a brisk clip, MLT is no longer anyone's also-ran. There may still be some roughness around the edges, but the movement of MLT from Pinchpenny Phantom of the Opera to No Sex Please, We're British to this has been a joy to watch.
For those who missed the Humphrey Bogart and Harrison Ford movies,
Sabrina Fair is a classic 50's well-made comedy of manners:
One set, two families, and three love interests, all taking a
peek into the private lives of America's Aristocracy as they democratize.
The title character, Sabrina Fairchild, is the daughter of the
fabulously wealthy Larrabee family's chauffeur and their late
housekeeper, and has returned to the lavish estate after living
the good life in Paris, where she has grown restless and as sophisticated
as those her parents have spent their lives serving. She has come
back to see if the love of her childhood is the right one, or
if she should stay in Paris with her offered opportunities there.
She has carried a torch for sailing-buff David, the younger, non-business
oriented son. With the help of a family friend, the matriarch
of the Larrabee's, and the older son, Linus, a titan of industry
and manipulative sort, she must try to attain domesticity without
being domesticated. Honestly, the script is very clunky in spots,
wielding exposition like a broadsword, but the payoffs at the
end of the first act and throughout the second are worth the price.
Ms. Dittman has done a wonderful job of keeping this two hour
and twenty five minute production flowing smoothly. Her blocking
is elegantly fluid, giving the audience a chance to exercise their
eyes by having the characters move through the unit set she has
designed with the grace you'd expect from a well-bred group. Her
casting is nearly perfect, especially with the five main leads.
I'm convinced that she is responsible for many of the improvements
in MLT, as her handiwork seems to be everywhere.
As lovely Sabrina, Christine Tindall is full of energy
and precociously perky without being cloying. She has the slight
tendency to rush her lines, although this can be attributed to
her boundless spirit. As the recreational David, Brett Tuttle
is a standout, acting so naturally, one can't help but imagine
him at the helm of a yacht in the Long Island Sound. His easy
exchanges and laid-back attitude are wonderfully performed. As
the Machiavellian older son, Linus Jr., Tempe Little Theatre veteran
Kurt Johnson comes across as a sailing-obsessed Daddy Warbucks,
whose ruthlessness and gameplaying is well balanced by his even
keeled attitude and well-hidden romantic heart. Mr. Johnson hits
every point well in his character, and never tips the scales,
an all-important accomplishment.
Susan McFadden Patterson and Sharon Yormick play
Maude, the mother of the brood and Julie, her best friend and
former bon-vivant. While Ms. Patterson seemed slow in revealing
her character, stiffer in performance than in characterization,
she managed to find a balance by the middle of the first act,
and slipped into the role enough to still give a good performance.
As the comic-cutup and best friend, Ms. Yormick is very good,
never stealing focus, but delivering her zingers just right.
The supporting cast was also solid, though there were a few lapses.
As the forgetful patriarch, Linus Sr., David Plummer is
funny, but always seemed on the verge of forgetting his lines.
As Sabrina's father, Tom, Curt Wooley is wonderfully stuffy,
though sometimes a bit too stiff. As housekeeper Margaret, Millie
Anderson is cute, but seemed to have a disappearing and reappearing
accent. The only real disappointment came from Carolyn Obley,
in her small part as David's former wife, Gretchen, as she wanders
the stage in an unfocussed way, rarely connecting to her fellow
actors.
Technically, the show is a far cry from MLT's prior disastrous
productions. Carolyn Obley's Scenic Design was solid, even
as some of the painting on the flats was not well lined-up. Carolyn
Gebhardt and Mike Ware's Lighting and Sound Design
fared better, and absolutely impressive was Fran Lindsay's
costuming, which was more consistent than I'd ever seen before
from this spirit-filled community theatre.
No, this is not a play that will shake the world or keep you rolling
in the aisles constantly, but it is very pleasant, generally funny,
and cutely romantic. If MLT can maintain this level of direction,
performance and design with their future productions, their transformation
will be complete.
Production Details:
Sabrina Fair by Samuel Taylor
Mesa Little Theatre
Mesa Arts Center, Mesa
(602) 834-9500
March 12th - March 21st, 1999