THEATER REVIEW: PLAY IS ENTERTAINMENT WITH AN UNDERTOW

Ludlow (Chuck Ross) wears patriotic boxer shorts around the apartment, constantly nibbles on Twinkies and is an aspiring finger painter. He lives in New York with his sister, Myra (Debra Barnhouse), who works as an office temp, takes guff from no one and slugs tequila like someone who has spent too many nights alone with Ludlow. Into their lives comes Reggie (Jeff Statler), a co-worker whose interest in Myra upsets Ludlow terribly. You know that isn't the first time that has happened.

These are the ingredients for a romantic comedy, but "Finger Painting in a Murphy Bed" turns out to have a serious undertow that makes this well-cast production by the River City Players even more entertaining.

The show opens tonight at Port Cape's River City Yacht Club. Performances continue Saturday, Thursday, June 16 and 17. Except June 17, doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner theater dates and at 7 p.m. for tonight's show-only performance. For the special June 17 performance, doors will open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m.

For information or reservations, phone 334-0954.

"Finger Painting in a Murphy Bed" co-directors Lloyd Williams and Stacey Storey keep the action flowing and have given their actors plenty of room to work out their characters' idiosyncrasies.

Ross, who is back on stage after many years in the director's chair, plays Ludlow as an abrasive eccentric who quotes Shakespeare and throws babyish fits when he doesn't get his way. It's a difficult combination but Ross pulls it off.

Barnhouse won the RCP's Best Actress Award last year and is in good form again, infusing Myra with both a fierce protectiveness toward her brother and the vulnerability of a woman who also yearns to be held.

Statler is the play's solid center as Reggie, who withstands Ludlow's best abuse and Myra's best attempts to reject him.

The dialogue includes a few profanities.

The stage manager is Cathy Panago. Sally Finch is in charge of props assisted by Gayle Friedrich. Ann Swanson designed the set, and Tim Roth built it, including the Murphy bed. Lighting is by Randy Barnhouse.

Raffle tickets will be sold at the performances of this play and others during the RCP season. The winner will receive a Super Bowl party for 20 catered by Port Cape, a $450 value.