‘Savage’ With a Light Touch

SAN CLEMENTE — Playwright John Patrick, of “The Hasty Heart” and the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Teahouse of the August Moon” fame, didn’t often deal with whimsy. When he did, as in his 1950 comedy “The Curious Savage,” his light touch was memorable,

It was written for Lillian Gish and requires an equally light touch in its direction, and Stephen Gomer gets most of it right in his staging at the Cabrillo Playhouse.

The story is typical of its period: Ethel Savage, an elderly woman who has inherited a $10-million fortune from her husband and wants to spend it helping people have a good time. But her three stepchildren have her committed to a sanitarium for “misfits,” called the Cloisters, so they can take over her estate.

Ethel is too clever for that and, with the help of the Cloisters’ other inmates, she rights all wrongs, rises triumphant by the final curtain, and that traditionally whimsical idea that people should be happy is once again proven to be rock-solid true. Patrick knows how to bring on a smile.

Gomer knows, too, and for the most part lets the play work its magic, with bright tempos and gossamer tone. He also has cast most of it impeccably.

Joan Neubauer is charming as the curious Savage, with a gentle touch and a warm sense of humor. The other “misfits” never make the mistake of “playing crazy,” as actors sometimes do. Outside of their particular aberrations, they seem just as normal as you or I, and that honesty gives them character and truth.

Noel Thurman has a marvelously husky voice, but she’s too attractive to be the unattractive Fairy May. Yet she’s still believable and shines in the role.

Cari Golden stands out firmly as the facility’s matron, but Michael Finch tends to be too fussy for the kindly doctor. Gomer’s one error is with the actors who play Savage’s three stepchildren: Deborah Behr as a nasty judge, Matt Schellenger as a crooked senator, and Sherryl Wynne as a marrying playgirl. He allows them to overact and appear much more out of touch than the “misfits.” It’s a disservice to the play, and to the more responsible performances by the rest of the cast.

* “The Curious Savage,” Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenue Cabrillo, San Clemente. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends June 21. $12. (714) 492-0465. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

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“The Curious Savage,”

Joan Neubauer: Ethel Savage

Noel Thurman: Fairy May

Gary Goodman: Jeff

Leslie Eichler: Florence

Tom Offerdahl: Hannibal

Deborah Semegi: Mrs. Paddy

Cari Golden: Mrs. Willie

Michael Finch: Dr. Emmett

Deborah Behr: Judge Sandy Savage

Matt Schellenger: Senator Titus Savage

Sherryl Wynne: Lilly Belle Savage

A Cabrillo Playhouse production of John Patrick’s whimsical comedy. Directed by Stephen Gomer. Scenic/lighting design: Ed Howie. Costumes: Kimberly Krone. Stage manager: Joey Kincer.