On Theater: ‘Sabrina’ a pretty fair revival

Seasoned moviegoers who applauded Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden in Billy Wilder’s 1954 flick “Sabrina” probably did not realize that the story began its life the previous year as a stage venture from playwright Samuel Taylor titled “Sabrina Fair.”

That rarely revived comedy, currently being presented by the Westminster Community Playhouse, may be an oldie but, in many respects, it’s still a goodie. A fine cast under the direction of Kirk Larson manages to tickle the audience with its antique story and plot lines.

Until the title character arrives in the middle of the first scene, “Sabrina Fair” appears to be no better than a chatty vintage comedy, adequately presented. Then Tiffany Berg erupts on the stage to accomplish what her character is supposed to do — turn the show upside down with her infectious personality and charm.

Berg is an ideal choice for the key role of the chauffeur’s daughter just back from a four-year coming-of-age sojourn in Paris. Apart from merely being gorgeous, she’s bright, witty and opinionated, taking a back seat to no one in the affluent Larrabee family (nor, as it turns out, should she).

You may have difficulty at the outset in determining which brother is the Bogart character and which is Holden’s part, since it’s been so long. But it’ll become quite clear well in advance of the final kiss.

Mike Martin skillfully enacts the rough-edged older sibling, Linus Jr., with a razor-sharp wit and keen business sense, even though he spends most of the play garbed in yachting attire. Brother David, more formally dressed and much more romantic, is splendidly interpreted by Scott T. Finn, whose character falls quickly under Sabrina’s spell.

An exceptional performance in the supporting ranks is that of MarLee Candell as the mother of the Larrabee lads, conflicted by traditional and more free-thinking values. As her industrial lion husband, John Francis blusters his way through a performance as effective for its quirkiness as it is for its zingers of dialogue.

Suzanne Grady downplays the part of the somewhat frustrated housekeeper. Sarah Hoeven makes the most of her brief stage time as Finn’s ex-wife, while Jim Perham balances his character’s stern and servile attitudes as Sabrina’s father. Alison Mattiza nicely fills the role of a familial figure inserted as a sounding board for expository purposes.

Late in the play, creator Taylor decided to give Sabrina a third choice of suitors and on comes Paul, her passionate Parisian paramour. Austin James Duffis takes this character out of its Pepe Le Pew mold in a fine interpretation.

Unlike its contemporary, “The Philadelphia Story,” another comedy about the “privileged class enjoying its privileges,” “Sabrina Fair” seems to have aged somewhat more gracefully. Much credit should be given to Berg’s illustrious performance at the Westminster Community Playhouse.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the daily Pilot, Coastline Pilot and Huntington Beach Independent.

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IF YOU GO:

What: “Sabrina Fair”

Where: Westminster Community Playhouse, 7272 Maple St., Westminster

When: Closing performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $20 and $18

Information: (714) 893-8626