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Publication Date: Friday, March 01, 2002

Playhouse serves up farcical 'Dinner'

A light French sex farce with a British tone sums up "Don't Dress for Dinner," currently being performed by the Pleasanton Playhouse at its Studio Theatre. The play is an adaptation by Robin Hawdon of Marc Camoletti's "Pyjamas pour Six," and was first performed in London in 1991.

True to form, the six-character play throws together wife, lover, mistresses, husbands - and a cook - when a change in plans upsets a man's arranged weekend dalliance at home with his Paris mistress. The characters' suspicions and misconceptions about each other keep piling up as cover-up stories and assumed identities become increasing convoluted.

Therein lies the fun, of course, with the fairly obvious and broadly played (as intended) verbal and sight gags that are the staple of such fare. The cast offered a commendably smooth and well-paced performance on opening night. Beth Bemis, as the cook Suzette, was especially fun to watch as she is asked to play along in a variety of roles, while extracting her own reward in the process.

Other roles were played by Tim Ackerman, Liz Cadenasso, Daniel Galant, Susannah Meyer and Jeff Zolfarelli. The show is directed by Mark Cornfield. The simple but attractive set was designed by Larry Tucker, with lighting by Paul Allen Collett and costumes by Sarah Lenigan.

Tickets prices are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $13 for students. Performances at the Studio Theatre, 1048 Serpentine Lane, are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays through Sunday, March 17. For ticket reservations call 462-2121 or connect online to www.pleasantonplayhouse.com.