BRAD GODA / MANOA VALLEY THEATRE Drunken soap opera director Chandler (Richard Aadland), foreground, loses it when his actoids begin to malfunction. They are, from left, Leslie Bartels, Ricky P. Galius and Scot Izuka.

Manoa Valley Theatre satire
fails to live up to potential

Playwright Alan Ayckbourn probably named the play "Comic Potential" because the story is about an android with an unexpected potential for comedy, but as staged by Manoa Valley Theatre with guest director Bill Ogilvie at the helm, the phrase is unfortunately accurate in describing the execution of this slow-moving production. There's potential here but knee-slapping satire it isn't.

'Comic Potential' Presented by Manoa Valley Theatre Where: Manoa Valley Theatre, 2833 E. Manoa Road When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 7 Tickets: $25 general, $20 for seniors and military, $15 ages 25 and younger Call: 988-6131

Judging by the generally reserved response of Wednesday's opening night audience, the show peaks with the scene in which the android, Jacie, is having dinner in a restaurant with her human suitor, an earnest young would-be writer named Adam Trainsmith. We've learned by that time that androids can mimic humans by eating and drinking, but eventually their internal holding tank must be emptied of ingested contents.

Jacie has just chugged a potent cocktail when she urgently informs Adam that her tank must be emptied immediately to avoid spilling her contents. Her announcement sets up the sight gag that follows as she lies back in her chair with her legs spread while Adam crawls under the table to open her trapdoor.

This, of course, looks like they're engaged in a completely different activity, and the instructions Jacie gives Adam on how to open her are couched in terms that compound the confusion.

Leslie Bartels (Jacie) and Gus Downes (Adam) played the scene with a sexual verve reminiscent of Clara Chorley and Jared Jeffries in MVT's under-appreciated 2003 production of "Apartment 3A." This time, however, there's nothing sexual going on. "When Harry Met Sally," anyone?

The audience went bananas.

Bartels carries this MVT production with her convincing portrayal of an android soap opera actor whose artificial intelligence program somehow becomes capable of original thought and an appreciation of comedy.

Downes makes his MVT debut a memorable one playing a well-intentioned young man whose lack of experience with women hinders his efforts to have a successful romantic relationship with an android.

Beyond that, "Comic Potential" is neither sharp nor insightful as satire, despite solid performances by Richard Aadland (Chandler Tate), as a burned-out director, and Victoria Gail-White (Carla) as a nasty executive with a predatory sexual interest in Adam. The show is only slightly more successful in revisiting the familiar sci-fi premise of a human -- usually male -- falling in love with a android.

THE ANDROIDS in this story are called "actoids," and Jacie is one of several cast in "Hospital Heart." Adam Trainsmith arrives on the set one day and is thrilled to meet the show's director, Chandler Tate, whom he idolizes as a legendary film director. That was years ago, however, and Tate is now a semialcoholic who realizes that soap operas are his last chance to keep working. Adam notices Jacie's awareness of comedy, nurtures it and eventually persuades Tate to give him a chance to create a showcase program for her.

Carla, however, resents Adam's growing interest in Jacie and decides it's time to have the actoid's personality program erased.

Scot Izuka and Ricky P. Galius contribute colorful comic performances as tertiary characters. Izuka plays two actoids, an older married male human and a stereotypical Hispanic pimp; Galius plays a snooty waiter and a stereotypical gay clothing store clerk. Gail-White also plays a stereotypical Hispanic prostitute who gives Jacie some cynical "advice" about what men want from women.

David C. Farmer (Lester Trainsmith) adds an unusual comic character in the person of Adam's wealthy uncle, the owner of the network, who usually communicates only through his loyal factotum (Cheyne Gallarde). Farmer has a knack for playing off-center types and does a good job of it here.

"Comic Potential" is not without a fair sprinkling of witty one-liners and sight gags, and those who get involved with the lovers' plight will find it gradually becomes a gripping story. It also poses a thought-provoking question: At what point would an android be able to say "no" to a relationship with a human?

Bartels gives a Po'okela Award-worthy performance, but those looking for edgy satire or fast-moving comedy should search for alternative programming.