“The Royal Family,” now playing at the Ahmanson Theater, is a royal send-off of a theatrical family, obviously based on the Barrymores. Remember them? John, Lionel and Ethel? Now we have the Cavendishes who have theater in their blood and must figure out if there is a life outside the stage door. The play is entertaining but old-fashioned, having been written way back in 1927 by Edna Ferber (for pathos) and George S. Kaufman (for laughs).
The dowager queen of the family is Fanny, played with grand style by veteran actress Marian Seldes. She is unable to bear the thought that one of her precocious children will desert the family tradition. And precocious they are. Kate Mulgrew is the talented daughter, Julie, who gave up romance 20 years ago in order to continue her career. Mulgrew has adopted the Katherine Hepburn school of acting, using her husky voice in a phony way that is almost unintelligible. Fortunately, we have Daniel Gerroll playing her brother, Anthony, and he steals the show.
Completely theatrical in looks and style, he bounces into the drawing room with an entourage of chauffeurs, butlers and hall boys carrying luggage, sports equipment and an odd assortment of treasures. He is escaping from Hollywood where he has punched out his director after seducing his director’s girlfriend. His over-the-top histrionics are welcome and add much needed zest to the production.
Melinda Page Hamilton, an ingénue who must choose between an acting career and a husband, plays Julie’s daughter. Thereby hangs the suspense.
Giving a top notch performance is George S. Irving, as the theatrical producer and manager Oscar Wolfe. Charles Kimbrough is thoroughly believable in the tough role of aging actor, who is still trying to play the lead. He bickers with his wife, Barbara Dirickson, who also has failed aspirations.
Alan Mandell as Jo is kept busy as the butler and Ellia English is a competent maid who will lose weight by running up and down the staircase during the run of the show.
And speaking of the staircase, the show owes much of its charm to the terrific set created by The New York townhouse would have no trouble finding a tenant. Also gorgeous are the period costumes created by Robert Blackman. The stage becomes a runway for dazzling designer duds, not at all out-dated. There has been no stinting here and the actresses (as well as the actors) have many changes of attire. Check out how the women’s shoes match the dresses.
Others worthy of mention are the actors in the smaller roles. Richard Cox and Robert L. Devaney are charming as suitors and smaller roles are played by Charlie Kimball, Bobby C. King, S. Marc Jordan, Bill Ferrell, Arthur Hanket, Aflamu and Eve Roberts. The various dogs on display all behaved themselves, we are happy to report.
The director, Tom Moore, captures the spirit of the period and manages to get order out of chaos. The show, which would be G-rated in Hollywood, continues at the Ahmanson through May 16. Although not exactly a pot-boiler, it could use more spice.