CHIT-CHAT: Inventive visuals thicken plot of Hollywood homage

“City of Angels” is the collaboration of two theater greats on a double-barreled comic homage to the Hollywood of their youth in the late 1940s. The play revels in the trials of a beleaguered novelist turned screenwriter and the atmosphere-drenched palette of film noir.

Steve Schroeder of Warrenville directs Wheaton Drama’s production of the rarely performed musical by writer Larry Gelbart (“M*A*S*H” and “Tootsie”) and composer Cy Coleman (“Sweet Charity”). Lyrics are by Tony-winner David Zippel.

Under pressure: Jack Smith (from left), Marc Ludena, Douglas Orlyk (seated), Tom Walker and Rod Kelly star in “City of Angels,” two shows in one. PHOTO COURTESY OF KIM JOHNSON

Why is this award-winning show such a rarity?
Because the technical demands are so high (and) the music is difficult. It’s the only reason why you don’t see it. I call it the best musical you’ve never seen. Wheaton Drama (has) got a great talent pool and technical resources.

Explain the unusual visual approach.
The storyline lives in two different worlds: the movie itself — a classic private eye film noir — (and) the backstage high jinx of the making of the movie. This could be the trickiest show that Wheaton Drama’s ever done technically. All the behind-the-scenes are in traditional color, but the movie scenes are all in black and white: sets, props, costumes. Everything but the actor’s skin tones are in black and white. Sometimes they do play simultaneously. They are talking about a scene on one side of the stage, and on the other side of the stage, you see the scene playing out.

Do you have enough performance space for the tandem action?
One of the things I love about the Wheaton Drama stage is it’s so long. I’ve been treating it as a wide-screen movie that we fill in.

Director Steve Schroeder PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL BARRY JR.

How is Gelbart familiar with this era?
The neat thing is his formative years were in the late 1940s and ‘50s. He was a young writer who wrote for the Sid Caesar show. He cut his teeth on late 1940s Hollywood. He really knows what he’s is writing about — and it is funny.

Describe the songs.
The musical style is obviously influenced by 1940s jazz and big band (like) Frank Sinatra crooning, a lot of tight harmonies, big band flourishes. Many consider ‘City of Angels’ Cy Coleman’s best score.

How have you accommodated the visual demands?
We have two costumers. Traditionally, there’s just one. Everybody in the show has at least two costumes: one in color and one in black and white. Lighting (design) is working with lots of shadows, lots of interesting angles.

SEE THE MUSICAL
WHAT “City of Angels”
WHERE Wheaton Drama, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton; (630) 260-1820; www.wheatondrama.org
WHEN June 5 to 28; 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
HOW MUCH $18 to $21