By Sommer Mathis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 17, 1998

When the wit hits the fan

Back in the 17th century, comedy was not exactly an intellectual art form. Lowbrow humor and cheap laughs ruled the comedic stage, and French playwright Molière was the crown prince of such indulgences. This month, Arizona Theatre Company brings a modern adaptation of his original play, "Scapin" (rhymes with Japan), to the stage at the Temple of Music and Art, complete with trademark (though "updated") raunchy humor.

The story is simple enough. Two wealthy but dumb fathers return from a business trip, only to find that each of their sons has fallen in love with a woman of, ahem, questionable birth. The fathers get mad, the sons get sad, and they turn to their scheming, quick-witted, but lovable servant, Scapin, for help. Good ol' Scapin goes about fixing things with his own brand of trickery and mischief, and of course, wackiness ensues.

Off-color humor then comes in to save an otherwise trite, uninteresting story. Adapters Bill Irwin and Mark O'Donnell have punched up the dialogue and put a current spin on the wisecracks, but one too many of these hip allusions and poop jokes (including some faux horsy mess that may end up in your lap) prompts too many groans and too much embarrassment from the audience to call the script a rousing success.

While not without genuine chuckles, the modernized wit in "Scapin" comes off dull due to lame lines. ATC regular Bob Sorenson, as Scapin, does what he can with a dumbed-down character, but we are never convinced that this man is the smooth operator he was intended to be. Instead, Scapin is merely another character who can't get a laugh without resorting to bathroom humor.

The supporting cast, however, benefits much more from this '90s Molièrian style. R. Hamilton Wright (Sylvestre) is just low-key enough as Scapin's simple sidekick, and Kim Bennett is perfect as Geronte, the gullible father and businessman. All four lovers are appropriately over the top, with standout Andy Paterson playing the spoiled, love-struck Octave.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the play is the set design. Colorful and intricate, you might have a yearning to visit both Europe and Disneyland's Toontown after seeing it. (EuroDisney, anyone?) The most memorable ongoing gags are also a feat of the "Scapin" design team, so kudos go out to Drew Boughton and his gang for the funny yet functional stage setup.

This play might be hard to stomach if you've ever cringed at a cheesy performance that breaks through the fourth wall in nearly every scene. Many of the jokes, including some great "Godfather" references and an obligatory El Niño gripe will leave even the biggest sourpuss chuckling, but without a strongly written hero, "Scapin" falls short of achieving comic greatness. Horse manure can only get you so far before the smell starts to waft through the theater.

ATC's "Scapin" runs at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave., through May 2. Tickets are $18.50-$27.50, available at the ATC box office and all Dillard's ticket outlets. Half-price adult and $10 student Rush Hour tickets are available one hour prior to curtain at the ATC box office only. For reservations call 622-2823, or for more information call 884-4877.