Sense of Humor Elevates 2 Plays Inspired by Kafka

The theme that connects most of Franz Kafka’s work is man as prisoner, either of himself or of society. Two world-premiere plays at Hunger Artists Theatre are “inspired” by Kafka stories: The first presents a sensitive, intelligent man as prisoner of his own genealogy, the second a man in the chains of a system that insists on dictating his future.

Both, written by members of the Hunger Artists group, are inventive and diverting and imaginatively staged. They often find delicacy, which is unusual in Kafka’s hard world, and a great deal of humor, which is even rarer.

The shorter, opening play is “Red Peter,” based on the story “Report to an Academy” and adapted by Tom Hensley. It concerns a vaudeville star who, it turns out, is an African ape, and a very advanced one at that.

On the ship that brought Red Peter to Europe, the ape learned to talk and began developing his mental prowess. By the time reporter Francine Whitley visits Red Peter at his palatial villa, he has become a vaudeville star and is willing to recount for her the story of his capture and evolution, which is the play proper.

The play speaks sympathetically to the outsider, the unusual soul who fits nowhere, adrift between two worlds.

Mark L. Palkoner is an impressive Red Peter, gentle, yet hiding great power behind his mild exterior, and tortured by his fate. Mark Coyan is funny as Red Peter’s homosexual butler, Herr Buseneau, and as naive sailor Joseph. Kimberly M. Fisher is the solid reporter, and Timothy C. Todd and Kelly A. Flynn are both good as the ship’s ensign and captain, respectively.

The more interesting play is “In the Penal Colony,” adapted by Adam Martin. Although some of the imagery is foggy, the central figures are unerringly drawn in the script.

The Soldier (Coyan) seems to vaguely remember being in a concentration camp and suffering other wartime traumas; he is even more vague in his knowledge of where he is now, a nightmarish compound filled with danger and good times.

Captain Debunk (Kelly Flynn), a con man who is more than he appears, takes the Soldier under his wing. Debunk takes Soldier to a party, where he is introduced to Prattle Glamway (Todd) and his mistress, Miss Attic (Darcy Blakesley).

There also are Janus (Fisher), much concerned about gateways and which ones the Soldier is allowed to pass through, the Designer (Jami McCoy) and an insane POW (Palkoner).

Coyan’s Soldier, Todd’s Glamway and Blakesley’s hilarious Miss Attic are vivid portraits, but the highlight here is Flynn’s Captain Debunk, a comic invention that is subtle and totally effective.

Both plays are directed by Shannon C.M. Flynn with intensity, detail, fine pacing and a monumental sense of humor.

* “In the Penal Colony” and “Red Peter,” Hunger Artists Theatre, 204 E. 4th St., Santa Ana. 8:30 p.m. today-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. $10-$12. Ends March 21. (714) 547-9100. Running time: 2 hours.

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“Red Peter”

Mark Coyan: Herr Buseneau/Joseph

Kimberly M. Fisher: Francine Whitley

Mark L. Palkoner: Red Peter

Timothy C. Todd: Ensign Miller

Kelly A. Flynn: Captain Haggenbeck

“In the Penal Colony”

Mark Coyan: The Soldier

Kimberly M. Fisher: Janus

Kelly A. Flynn: Captain Debunk

Darcy Blakesley: Miss Attic

Timothy C. Todd: Prattle Glamway

Jami McCoy: The Designer

Mark L. Palkoner: POW

A Hunger Artists world premiere production of two adaptations of Franz Kafka short stories, by Tom Hensley (“Red Peter”) and Adam Martin (“In the Penal Colony”). Directed by Shannon C.M. Flynn. Scenic design: Melissa Petro. Lighting design: Lonnie R. Alcaraz. Sound design: Robbin E. Broad. Stage manager: Rebecca Green.