‘Little Dog’ deserves to be seen

When you first enter the Judy Bayley Theatre for Nevada Conservatory Theatre's "The Little Dog Laughed," you're practically blinded by a visual representation of the bright, pleasantly vulgar chic of show biz society. Donald C. Roose III's versatile bedroom set is all solid squares of color, white scrim and modern up-scale (but peculiarly sterile) ambiance. You feel as if money lives here instead of people. Christopher Trevino's lights glow with such piercing clarity that the room could be mistaken for a makeup mirror.

It's no surprise, then, to learn that we are in the home of a New York movie star. Mitchell (Rob Bartusch) is a young man about to take the big leap to Hollywood; or so his agent and callous mentor Diane (Rayme Cornell) thinks. One small problem: Mitchell is gay, and that could wreck his leading man status.

Douglas Carter Beane's comical look at how much people will give up to get what they want is an amusing trifle that will no doubt disappoint those with large expectations. But director Michael Lugering's high-spirited approach often brings out what's best in the material. We've heard these jokes before, but Lugering and cast remind us of their pleasure.

The strength in the production is in the growing relationship between the hustler Alex (Jack Mikesell) and the movie star. Mikesell has confused, curly hair and a Huck Finn face. He exudes innocence. You understand why Mitchell, in his cut-throat world of masks, would be drawn to him.

Bartusch is equally down-home attractive but he's given his performance a layer of seen-all, done-that. You can sense that while Mitchell needs someone as loyal and naive as Alex, there's a steely determination in his desire to succeed that not even Alex can penetrate.

Cornell captures the high-strung cynicism of agent Diane. She's a fine actress. Unfortunately, we quickly tire of her over-the-top mannerisms. I don't know how else anyone could play her, because Diane is a one-joke concept.

Lugering's casting and directing of two superb actors nonetheless gives the script much humor and humanity. It's professional-level entertainment that deserves to be seen.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at DelValle@aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.