THEATER REVIEW:

*********The March 13 story, “Theater Review: A super-sweet ‘Charity,’?” incorrectly identified Jared Marino, who plays the role of Oscar.****************

When Tim Nelson first became artistic director and musical director of Huntington Beach High School’s Academy of Performing Arts, the show he chose for his inaugural project was the Neil Simon-Cy Coleman gem from the 1960s, “Sweet Charity.”

Flash forward 10 years and Nelson’s anniversary APA production, another version of “Sweet Charity,” incredibly mounted in just four weeks with flashing vestiges of professional polish, particularly in the performance of the actress playing the title role, at Westminster’s Rose Center Theater.

Jessica Wilson absolutely nails the role of Charity Hope Valentine, a dance hall hostess who dreams of “something better than this” and allows herself to fall in love with a shy guy she meets in a stuck elevator. Wilson is the supercharged engine that moves this tuneful hippie-era epic with a wonderfully realized characterization and superb dancing skills.

The entire ensemble, beautifully choreographed by Diane Makas to the beat of musical director Gregg Gilboe’s orchestrations, is a supporting performer, and a terrific one. Individual performers assert themselves periodically, but the huge cast is a dominating presence, highlighted by Makas’ reconstruction of legendary dance director Bob Fosse’s original movements.

As Charity’s dance hall buddies and roommates, Aly Lespier and Arroya Karian lend splendid support, particularly Lespier in the legendary “Big Spender” number. Both girls shine in one of the few Charity-less numbers, “Baby, Dream Your Dream.”

Jason Marino hits the right balance of nervousness and sincerity as Oscar, the white knight who may be Charity’s ticket out of the dime-a-dance dodge. Nick Miranda has a strong presence as Herman, the dance hall straw boss.

In one extended segment, Charity finds herself hiding in an Italian actor’s closet upon the arrival of his paramour. Alex Syiek scores highly as the matinee idol, while Emma Degerstedt is superb eye candy, but with somewhat less impressive acting chops, as the lady friend.

Brian Wessels kicks things up a bit as the Rhythm of Life church “pastor” in a splendid ensemble number. One member of the splendid ensemble stands out: Halyleigh Green as the “ponytail girl,” a mere freshman with effervescent dancing talent.

Nelson, who’s also the director of the Rose Center Theater, uses all dimensions of the stage, and then some, to mount his “Charity,” including dancers crawling above the audience in the light cage. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable production.

Mounting a show this involved in a few short weeks is a testament to the talent and dedication of the APA company. Bringing it off this well is simply amazing.

WHAT: “Sweet Charity”

WHO: Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts

WHERE: Rose Center Theater, 14140 All American Way, Westminster

WHEN: Closing performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.

COST: $13 - $18

CALL: (714) 793 1150 ext. 1

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Long-buried ‘Treasure’ unearthed at GWC

Moviegoers with long memories may be forgiven for imagining that “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” was born in 1948 as a Humphrey Bogart movie that earned an Oscar for its director’s father, Walter Huston.

The film actually was derived from a novel, and its author, B. Traven, wasn’t thrilled with what Hollywood had done with it — despite wide acclaim among movie audiences. So he took further adaptation rights to his grave.

It remained for Traven’s widow to finally grant playwright Herb Robins permission to rework “Treasure” for the stage where, 60 years after Bogart bit the dust, it’s being presented in an viscerally ambitious Golden West College production.

The central theme, then as now, is greed and how it can poison men’s minds. In director Tom Amen’s gritty rendition, greed slithers like a desert viper through the camp of three prospectors who strike it rich in the Mexican wilderness.

The Golden West production tends to steer clear of recognizable stereotypes, and Cazimir Milostan’s Fred C. Dobbs character is light years removed from Bogie. In his interpretation, Dobbs is a swarthy, paranoiac and pugnacious lout who acts irrationally and irresponsibly once the fortune is amassed.

The finest performance of the show is delivered by Michael Bielitz in the richly defined role of the elderly prospector. Bielitz’s loquacious character is a cackling old codger guided by the wisdom of experience, surviving against two younger, stronger companions by using his wits and his charm.

Lawrence Hemingway enacts the rather stoic third member of the gold-seeking party, a strong character guided by humanistic principles. A fourth prospector, a black French interloper, is richly played by Eric J. Davis.

The Mexican banditos, bogus lawmen who “don’t need any stinking badges,” are headed by Christian Navarro, who employs muscle and menace to exercise his power in a skillful performance. Pedro Carachure is engaging as the Mexican boy who sells Dobbs his winning lottery ticket.

Most of the action is played out against a richly textured series of mountain backdrops created by Herbert L. Camburn, a veteran Hollywood set designer. In something of a dig at the audience, Camburn has included photo album tab corners at the tops of two immense scenic flats.

There is much to savor in this “Treasure,” not the least of which is Wesley Hunt’s haunting musical score and sound effects. Susan Thomas Babb’s grubby 1930s costumes are equally effective.

Movie audiences have been seeking out “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” for the past six decades. This certifiable antique is being treated with loving care in an adventurous production at Golden West College.

WHAT: “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre”

WHERE: Golden West College Mainstage Theater

WHEN: Closing performances at 7:30 tonight through Saturday, at 2 p.m. Sunday

COST: $10 - $12

CALL: (714) 895 8150, ext. 1

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.