Director a fan of approach to 'Light Up The Sky'

By: JAMES CURRAN - Staff Writer | Wednesday, February 22, 2006 1:06 PM PST ∞

Leave it to a patient playwright, after years of dealing with drama queens, to find humor instead of frustration with divas.

Director Claude Earl Jones savors the idea that Pulitzer-winner Moss Hart created when the writer turned theater on itself in the comedy "Light Up The Sky," which debuts at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater on Feb. 24.

Jones, a self-described semiretired director who answered the call of a friend to bring the Temecula Valley Players' production to the stage, said Hart's idea of poking fun at the self-obsessed will resonate with the audience.

"That's pretty much what it is ---- fun and games," Jones said. "Hart is too good a writer to write about nothing. It's not 'Seinfeld,' but it doesn't have a deep dark message. It's just a lot of fun. That's what I told the actors. Your feet should never touch the ground. It's just a gas."

The story line is loosely based on a theatrical production that the characters believe is sure to bomb. It was one of Hart's last creations.

Jones said he specifically wanted to choose "Light Up" because the writer is considered a precursor to the theatrical legend Neil Simon. In addition to winning awards, Hart was known to have multiple plays on Broadway simultaneously, Jones said.

"It's not one of the better-known plays," Jones said. "Yet, it's a very good play from the past."

Like Simon's work, this piece offers an ensemble cast a variety of intriguing roles.

"One of the reasons it was picked was it offers so many opportunities," Jones said. "There are probably, I would say, eight to 10 leads."

Jones, who is bullish on the level of local acting talent, said he was quite impressed with Patti Drew, who will play actress Irene Livingston.

"I don't think she has aspirations to be a professional, but ... I don't think I've seen a better actress," Jones said. "This is a gal who, if she'd gone into the profession, would have done quite well.

"There are probably four people like that in the show, professional caliber. And if I do my job well, they can all bring that to the show."

As an ensemble piece without a clear-cut hero or villain, Jones said he is keenly aware that a balance must be reached in the play so that it connects with the audience.

"I don't know how to describe it, but it's a show biz comedy that's very fast," Jones said. "It's not a star sort of thing. And it'll move very fast if I do my job right."

Yet, Jones added that just because it's a comedy, the actors do not have free will to be outrageous for cheap laughs.

"It's a misconception to think that comedy is that," Jones said. "Comedy is the hardest thing in the world. The last play I directed was 'Of Mice and Men,' which is not a comedy. Comedy requires more control.

"Drama is simple compared to comedy. Timing is everything there. The way I want them to play it, you have to be real or else people won't buy the outrageousness when it happens."

Jones said he is looking forward to the theater itself every bit as much as the play.

"This is where the first great play in that theater will be," Jones said. "That theater? It's just a gem. They have potential here in this area, which is community theater country, the potential that lies with this theater. Whoever designed the theater did a very good job of it. They could do any type of play possible."

"Light Up The Sky"


When: Feb. 24-25, 8 p.m.; March 3-4, 10-11, 8 p.m.

Where: Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St.

Tickets: $15

Info: (866) 653-8696

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