'The Moon Is Blue'

Having imported a new company of actors, the Boston Summer Playhouse is currently undertaking a second series of plays for the season. The first of these is F. Hugh Herbert's delightful and sophisticated comedy, The Moon is Blue.

Since the script calls for only four actors (and uses only three of them most of the time), it is essential that each player be an accomplished "light comedian" if the frailty of the play's skeleton is not to show. An airy touch, good timing, and graceful movement are primary prerequisites.

Generally speaking, this company is not quite up to the task. The pace is slow, the timing sporadic, and the movement stiff. Nevertheless, the natural humor and inventiveness of two of the performers provide some highly amusing moments.

As David Slater, the rake from upstairs with a weakness for "steak, liquor, and sex--in that order," Frederick Morehouse is at his best with a sarcastic line or a subtle piece of business. When he orders his steak ("blood rare") or mixes a martini he brings the house down. However, his voice frequently becomes strident in an attempt to capture the English accent and he underplays perhaps too much.

Frank Langella, who turned in two excellent performances in the Ionesco plays at Tufts a few weeks back, is a bit gawky and uneasy in the role of the young architect. Hopefully he will bring more poise and decisiveness to his movement as the run progresses. For he is one of the most versatile young actors seen in this community in quite a while.

Unfortunately, Myra Mailloux seems all wrong as Patty O'Neill. There is nothing naive or innocent in this characterization; nor, for that matter, is there anything genuinely worldly. Miss Mailloux has a way of delivering her lines that makes one doubt that she really knows what she is saying. The result in an ingenuous Patty, wide-eyed but blank.

When Messrs. Langella and Morehouse are playing fully, however, Mr. Herbert's material sparkles as thoroughly pleasant summer fare. The Boston Summer Playhouse seems to be back on its feet, and the excellent response of the opening night audience should encourage these young players to bring us even better work as they settle in and the season progresses.