“Cactus Flower,” the current production at the Willits Community Theatre, is a reminder of why so many theater companies often feature vintage plays. The language sparkles in this witty 1965 romantic farce, written and directed by Abe Burrows. In a career spanning several decades Burrows also wrote and/or directed such plays as “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Can Can,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “What Makes Sammy Run?” “Silk Stockings” and many others.

For those of us who are convinced our own lives include enough drama without seeing more of it on the stage, this perfectly whimsical evening of continual laughter satisfied the hunger for escape. Call us shallow, but it must be therapeutic to laugh so much. Of course, all the clever writing in the world would be lost unless the cast has a gift for timing, which this one does.

Much of the play takes place in a dentist’s office reception area. (Not to worry: there’s no onstage drilling.) A quartet of characters at the center of the play includes a dashing dentist with commitment issues (played by Christopher Martin); an assistant who may have affectionate interest in her boss (Patricia Willis); a pretty young thing who is the dentist’s current love interest (Cazzie Wilkinson); and a writer who lives next door to the CLI (Ian Stigliani). Stigliani also directs the play.

A couple of masterful scene stealers have some of the best lines: the dentist’s
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actor friend (Charlie Lacey) and a .recurring patient (Esther Baruch). In the unfolding saga of “Who’s my boyfriend/girlfriend/Who isn’t?” the lovely Emmelia King decorates the stage briefly, and handsome Noel Wickstrom is an oily Latin Lover with designs on — well, you’ll find out.

An endearing aspect of Community Theater is the chance to see familiar faces in new roles. Christopher Martin, the dentist in this production, is especially skilled at playing characters who seem steady but who are somewhat flawed in character. Maybe it helps that he’s British. He always satisfies. Patricia Willis (most recently a comic nun) is an engaging control freak. Who will she end up with?

Ian Stigliani is another throwback to the era when talented people did everything. He acts, directs, writes, teaches — and is universally appreciated. Of course, if in one of these performances that towel drops in the shower scene, they’ll close down that little jewel-box theater, and there will only be two theaters in the county celebrating their 30th anniversary. Don’t go for just that reason.

One of the most remarkable features of productions at the WCT are the superb sets that unfailingly set the mood and make amazing use of limited space — in this case featuring four distinct sets artfully manipulated with clever lighting and a few sweeps of curtains. The scene changes are accomplished in dim lighting in view of the audience. It’s fun to watch. Kudos to set and sound designer (and WCT Producer) Stephanie Chatten as well as Set Builders Lee Bryant, Bill Barker and (there he is again!) Ian Stigliani. Lead Set Painter is Kier Walter; Jean Hanamoto does the set graphics; Karen Seydel is Sound Operator, Prop Master, and Stage Manager. The lighting was designed by Joe Dowling. It is important to acknowledge these highly skilled and dedicated backstage volunteers whose efforts considerably enhance every performance at the playhouse.

“Cactus Flower” continues at the Willits Community Theatre through April 14. Seats may be reserved with a credit card through Leaves of Grass Books in Willits: 459-3744. For more information, visit www.allaboutwct.org or call 459-2281 for recorded information. Tickets are often, but not always, available at the door. The theater is located at 37 W. Van Lane, down the alleyway off Main St., next to Burrito Exquisito.

source :www.ukiahdailyjournal.com