‘World in Love’ Turns On Charm

ANAHEIM — The title of William Mittler’s “A World in Love” has a double meaning. Most of the young people in the story are desperately, or almost desperately, in love. But even more interesting is the title’s reference to America’s love affair between the turn of the century and World War I, with the joys and profits inherent in the dawn of the Mechanical Age.

Stages’ world premiere of Mittler’s play has a lot of fun with the subject.

The smallest flaws are in the writing, which works for the young people in their era. Often, though, especially early on, Mittler. a local playwright, tends to give them stilted dialogue that only pretends to be period. When he relaxes, his writing is better.

Obvious is the intent of director Amber Jackson to find all the humor possible in a play whose humor is written in and doesn’t need to be magnified. The problem is very noticeable in the performance of Glenn Hoeffner as Abraham Bishop, who almost makes a clown act out of Abraham’s bumbling, down-home philosophizing. Otherwise, Jackson’s take on the period is quite true.

Bishop is a small-town newspaper (circulation 300) publisher and farmer. Sons Elias (Kevin Moynahan) and Zacariah (Matthew Tully) run the farm but spend most of their time in a shed inventing a perpetual-motion machine, which explodes in clouds of smoke at regular intervals. Their affected sister Elizabeth (Laura Lynn Orlow), who has been to college in the big city, is a gorgeous lass waiting for true love.

Moynahan and Tully are wonderful as the brothers, both in their early 30s, both about as emotionally developed as high school freshmen. Their talk of romance comes from hearsay, and they are very funny emerging, like clockwork, from the smoke-filled shed covered in soot, only to squabble and begin wrestling like kids.

Orlow is charming as the sister, allowing Elizabeth’s self to emerge imperceptibly, only to be crushed by her final dismay at the loss of love. Tiina Wiles is exceptional as housekeeper Carrie, who knows more about life and love than Elizabeth does--and about the vagaries of providence.

Jesse Strutzel couldn’t be more on target as the mooning Robert Pastor, the young poet and burgeoning writer who uselessly adores Elizabeth and reads his panting verse to her back porch. Jacob Galasso is solid as a mysterious young Frenchman whose plane drops from the sky and who toys with Elizabeth in several ways.

Frank Tyron does what he can, and does it well, with Mittler’s version of Orville Wright. This is not a bicycle repairman who made good, but a shrewd businessman who would be at home in today’s corporate world.

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* “A World in Love,” Stages, 1188 N. Fountain Way, Anaheim, Suite E, Anaheim. Friday-Sunday, 8 p.m. Ends Sunday. $10. (714) 630-3059.

Jesse Strutzel: Robert Pastor

Kevin Moynahan: Elias Bishop

Matthew Tully: Zacariah Bishop

Glenn Hoeffner: Abraham Bishop

Laura Lynn Orlow: Elizabeth Bishop

Tiina Wiles: Carrie Vicar

Jacob Galasso: Young Man

Frank Tyron: Orville Wright

A Stages production of William Mittler’s play. Produced by Tracy Perdue. Directed by Amber Jackson. Fight choreography: Matt Freeman. Wrestling choreography: Kirk Huff. Scenic design: Mitch Faris, Jon Gaw. Lighting design: Adam Clark. Sound design: Barney Evans. Costume design: Patti Cumby.