Based on an early work by French scribe Eugene Labiche, An Italian Straw Hat is not likely to be the next Wit. But that probably suits South Coast Rep’s subscribers just fine. The SCR-described “vaudeville,” which revolves around a horse’s digestion of a woman’s hat (don’t they all?), is a lighthearted romp that will no doubt have its share of rubber-faced zaniness. This fare will be easy on the candy-wrapper crowd, as the walls will echo with the sounds of striding pianos, bellowing tenors and four-part harmony. Just like the good old days, only with cell-phone interruptions.
Thursdays, Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2:30 N 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 N 7:30 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Starts: Sept. 5. Continues through Oct. 6, 2008
