By Ann Augherton
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 9/11/03)

Climb aboard "Twentieth Century," the latest production at Signature Theatre in Arlington, for a wacky ride through deceit, relationships and paranoia.

"Twentieth Century," which Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht premiered on Broadway in 1932, has been revamped a bit by Ken Ludwig. The story of the first high-speed train from Chicago to New York, which began its run in 1902, brings to the stage an unlikely list of passengers and an innovative set, designed by James Kronzer. The action begins in front of the train’s exterior and continues as that slips aside to reveal three art deco style compartments.

The passengers include the philandering Dr. Grover Lockwood, played with a paranoid flair by Thomas Adrian Simpson, as the married man who takes off for the weekend with the "other woman," Anita Highland, played by Rachel Gardner. These two play off each other as they are duped repeatedly by playwright Oscar Jaffee, played by James Barbour, and his entourage, which includes Oliver Webb, played by Harry A. Winter, and Owen O’Malley, played by Christopher Bloch. These three orchestrate all kinds of shenanigans, from getting a compartment, to arranging encounters, to securing finances for their next stage production.

Donna Migliaccio, a Signature regular, is the Bible-thumping Myrtle Clark, an escaped mental patient who plasters "Repent" stickers throughout the train. Through an odd twist of events, she becomes the financial backer for Jaffee’s next production, or so they think.

Jaffee’s old flame, Lily Garland, played with flair by Holly Twyford, is amusing as the drama queen and spoiled actress, who at one point says, "I’m so sick of myself."

Along for the ride are Garland’s "assistant" George Smith, played by Will Garshore, and a bearded homeless-looking man, played by Rick Hammerly, who is aboard with the entire acting troupe from the production of "The Passion," straight from Oberammergau, Germany.

Frederick Strother is the clichéd, but very effective conductor who has his hands full peeling off "Repent" stickers and trying to keep the big whigs happy.

The story is silly, but it holds your attention. The action is quick, the laughs are frequent and aside from way too much door slamming, "Twentieth Century" is an enjoyable ride.

Unfortunately, the action includes some clichéd Irish-bashing, a few sexual references and a couple of eyebrow-raising comments about religion.

According to Signature Theatre staff, Alec Baldwin will star in the Broadway production of "Twentieth Century" next March.

The play runs through Oct. 5 at Signature Theatre in Arlington.