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Befuddlement

The rest of the cast fares a bit
better. Paul Ames has an appealing
naivete and a Stan Laurel-ish
befuddlement as Nestor, though he
could have been a trifle more of a
cockeyed romantic. Patrick
Stoner's portrayal of the police
inspector is a straight cartoon
caricature, yet I think if he added a
little sophistication to his approach,
he'd be right on target. Russell
Gustafson, James Earl Miller,
William Hartung, George Miller,
Chip Behrendt, and W. Simpers sing
and dance with enthusiasm as the
"Mecs," but I never was able to
believe that they were members of
the underworld.

The production, despite its
inability to congeal, does have its
occasional assets. The "Dis Done"
and "There Is Only One Paris For
That" numbers have been especially
well staged and choreographed, and
most of Marguerite Monnet's often
pleasing score is agreeably sung to
the accompaniment of an organ,
which Ed Godshall plays in
addition to his usual piano. Also,
David Gwin has given the show an
evocative and thoughtful lighting
design.

Stoners: Skimming The Surface

But the problem is more basic,
both to the production and to the
material. Maybe somebody could
make "Irma La Douce" into a
satisfying evening of theatre. Maybe
somebody could make the myriad
of obvious sex jokes seem funny
and Julian More, David Heneker,
and Monty Norman's libretto seem
imaginative. Maybe. But here they
just seem stupid.

—Ed.)