THEATER REVIEW : A Fearfully Unfunny ‘Haunt’

SANTA ANA — At the end of his radio broadcast of “War of the Worlds,” which terrified half the country in 1939, Orson Welles announced cheerily that it only had been his way of jumping out and saying, “Boo!”

“Hilarious Haunt” is Way Off Broadway’s cheery attempt to do the same thing with comedy sketches and improvs. And cheery is the company that performs it. One wonders why.

For all its good intentions, it generally misses its marks. Written by the company, some of the sketches are good starts that don’t go anywhere, such as “Kosher Kaldren” and the silly “House of Wax.” Others--like “Ghoulia Chiles Mortician Cosmetology School” and “Seniors Football League,” with its doddering, stumbling, bumbling elder citizens--are tasteless.

One well-worn but clever idea--ventriloquists’ dummies who take over their masters--is amusing once, but three times? The opening sketch, a pointless poker game with Dracula, Wolfman, the Mummy and Igor, finds them frightened out of their wits by . . . an Amway lady. That’s the level of humor.

During the two improv sections of the program, members of audience get on the stage and describe real nightmares they’ve had. Then the “improvisers” come out and repeat what the nightmares are about. Improv is a construction upon a suggestion. These folks don’t go beyond echoing the suggestion.

Welles said it first: “Boo.”

* “Hilarious Haunt,” Way Off Broadway, 1058 E. 1st St., Santa Ana. Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. Ends Oct. 30. $10. (714) 547-8997. Running time: 2 hours. Stephen Dedola, Kevin Hayden, Godfrey Huguley, Jolynn Jones, Karen Kawolics, Helen Lasater, David Alan Nelson, Tony Reverditto, Laura Spurlock, Ricci Thomas, Jan Tiehen, David Walloch.

A Way Off Broadway production. Created by the company, directed by Tony Reverditto. Set: David Walloch. Lights: Mike Palmere. Sound: Steve Schmidt.