Acting Company staying at 'California Suite'

Some theatrical productions require large casts to play all the individual roles and extravagent sets to pull off the drama. Others, however, require few actors and few sets.

"California Suite," a play by Neil Simon, is an example of the latter, but takes that aesthetic far: To be performed, the play only requires one set and four actors.

The Acting Company will perform "California Suite" beginning this weekend and running to March 2.

In "California Suite," the set is, as the title suggests, a hotel room in Hollywood. Neil Simon's story is a series of stories featuring five couples who come to stay in the hotel room.

All 10 of these roles are performed by just four actors; in the case of The Acting Company's production, these four actors are Debbie and Chris Collier, Gary Conover and Maria Katanic.

The stories revolve around characters and couples from Philadelphia, New York, England and Chicago. "The nature of the stories is totally different," said the play's director, Joe Moye. "The hotel room is the main setting. All (the stories) are based in the same room."

Despite all the stories happening in the same place, none of them intertwine and none of the characters from each individual story meet each other.

While some directors may feel hampered by only one set, Moye has found it liberating. "It's been nice to have only one set," he said. "Working with one cast has been fun, and it's been especially fun with the characters all being in their 40s or older. And we have a veteran group of actors, so it's been nice and easy."

The nature of the stories in "California Suite" is the odd and bizarre things that people do, according to Moye. "All the stories are about human relationships," he said. "It's a comedy based on that."

"California Suite's" commentary on relationships is what has given Moye and the actors a lot of room for creativity.

"I've been able to just talk to the actors and have a lot of discussions about what the character is feeling or thinking in a situation," Moye said. "That's what appealed to me the most. You can play (these scenes) a lot of different ways: You can be angry, you can be disappointed, you can be happy ... To have those conversations with your actors has been a lot of fun."

His work on The Acting Company's previous production of "Over the River and Through the Woods" was what drew Moye to the job of "California Suite" director.

"I said sure, why not," Moye said. "It's been a lot of fun (to perform 'California Suite'). The rehearsals have been hilarious, and I really hope that translates to the play."

Performances of "California Suite" are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15.

Two special Valentine's Day performances are scheduled on Feb. 14 and 15. For $90, couples can have dinner at Ruthie's at 6:30 p.m. and see "California Suite" at 8 p.m.

California Suite

Times: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; to March 2

Where: The Acting Company, 815 B St., Yuba City

Tickets: $15. Call 751-1100.

Special Valentine's Day performances: Dinner at Ruthie's Restaurant at 6:30 p.m., play at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15; cost: $90