Roscoe Spitzer’s Demons Can Be Devilishly Funny

Roscoe Spitzer is riddled with angst. He’s a cynical, doom-engulfed folk singer at the fictional Mocha Java Bean coffeehouse in Garden Grove and wants to be known for his blurred view of man’s inhumanity to himself. But he makes his depressing living by writing silly advertisement jingles. He’s very unhappy and afraid of dying without getting his message across.

In “Roscoe Spitzer Is Afraid of Dying,” Joel Beers’ absurdist musical comedy at Stages, a lyric of Roscoe’s proclaims his dream of being like Bob Dylan, but instead it looks as though Roscoe (Robert Dean Nunez) might be the Barry Manilow of the next century as a result of Prozac.

A visit to a doctor for a prescription turns into a hallucinatory visit to the mysterious Dylar Inc., where Roscoe meets the evil Zac (Bradley A. Whitfield), who is really the devil. Beers equates taking the feel-good drug with Roscoe trading his soul for happiness and success.

Roscoe’s folk songs, now happy and optimistic, make him a success at the Mocha Java Bean, whose owner (a restrained beatnik also played by Whitfield) decides Roscoe is ready to open for all the big celebrity acts that come to town.

“Roscoe Spitzer” is a lot of fun. While the score, credited to Jelly Roll Joel and Slim Raiford, is ordinary, it’s listenable and furthers the plot. Beers’ direction is bright and sometimes frenetic, although there are moments in which he lets the bottom drop out of his timing.

The youthful distaste for commercial success that is the script’s main point is bolstered by some lucid ideas concerning being honest with yourself in your art, and in life, and daring to do your own thing.

The point is made strongly with a late cameo appearance by the spirit of Edgar Allan Poe, who says he’s on the outskirts of Roscoe’s hallucination. Poe (Matt Tully) writhingly bemoans the comic book adaptations of his work and the procession of one-man shows about him; he wants to be remembered for his work, but most strongly he wants a girl and a drink.

The script’s only big flaw is that little is made of who and what Roscoe is. And Nunez, though he does have a warm and pleasing folk delivery in his songs, makes little effort to fill out Roscoe’s character. To be the icon Beers intends, Roscoe has to be more intricate, human, real.

Whitfield is a delight as Zac, drooling evil and devilishly giddy joy at Roscoe’s trauma, and very funny being stunned at any technical loophole that might keep Roscoe’s soul from him.

Patti Cumby and Dennis Moynahan are excellent as the ‘70s-flavored duo Milk and Honey at the Mocha and as deranged types in the Dylar waiting room. Mo Arii and Susana Garcia are also solid as Mocha waitresses and Zac’s sadistic aides.

* “Roscoe Spitzer Is Afraid of Dying,” Stages, 1188 N. Fountain Way, Suites E-F, Anaheim. (714) 630-3059. Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes.

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“Roscoe Spitzer Is Afraid of Dying”

Robert Dean Nunez: Roscoe Spitzer

Bradley A. Whitfield: Zac

Dennis Moynahan: Teddy

Patti Cumby: Agnes

Mo Arii: Sara

Susana Garcia: Tonin

Matt Tully: Edgar

A Stages production of Joel Beers’ absurdist musical comedy, with score by Jelly Roll Joel and Slim Raiford. Directed by Joel Beers. Scenic design: Gavin Carlton. Sound design: Paige Griffin. Lighting design: Ken Jaedicke. Costumes: Laura Lynn Orlow.