`ROOM' PROVIDES UNCOMMON VIEW : ACTORS HOPE DEPTH OF PLAY'S CHARACTERS WILL MESMERIZE AUDIENCES.

Byline: Patricia Hesselbach Special to the Daily News

A small company of actors promises to affect emotions and test sensibilities of audiences for ``Veronica's Room,'' an infrequently produced Ira Levin play.

The unassuming, and possibly unsuspecting, Stage Door Theatre in Agoura Hills, provides the setting for this intense and psychologically challenging theatrical experience. Playwright Levin may be better known to theatergoers for his more mainstream works, ``Deathtrap,'' ``No Time for Sergeants'' and ``Rosemary's Baby,'' among others.

Gisele Frazeur plays one of the small cast of characters in the Stage Door version of the show, originally produced on Broadway in the '70s. She predicted most of the audience will be drawn into the plot drama and be equally mesmerized by the depth Levin has written into the characters.

Frazeur referred to the Levin script as an ``utterly fabulous vehicle'' and added, ``He has constructed a play within a play within a play. It goes three levels deep.''

The actors all conveyed a careful excitement and attitude of fondness for the show, as well as a savory, albeit uneasy, comfort with the characters they portray.

Actress Nancy Barker suggested that the key to the production's success may be striking a critical emotional balance with the audience. ``The exciting part will be to feel the audience's empathy with, but not dislike for, the characters. The trick is to get them caught up in the story, without strong reactions - as long as there's some kind of reaction. Rapt silence may not be desirable.''

Barker said, ``Some people might say, why do this play? I don't know why the man wrote it, but it's written very well.'' Barker said that the play, promoted as a psychological thriller, keeps the audience involved because most of the nearly two-hour show is thick with plot exposition and character development.

Director Roy Hammond called the play a ``sit on the edge of your seat type thriller,'' or a mystery thriller that causes the audience to question their thinking and constantly search their minds for answers.

Hammond has worked toward producing ``Veronica's Room'' for more than two years. Somewhat of a caretaker, Hammond nurtured the production from its first read-throughs over dinner to final rehearsals, where the play takes on a life of its own and transcends technical aspects - the part of the process Hammond finds most appealing.

Veteran actor Spencer Scofield first approached his participation in the production with a touch of uncertainty. ``After I read the script, I thought, I'd better read this again. I read it again. Then, I had to read it again!''

According to Scofield, ``Veronica's Room'' is ``one of those plays that will stick with you.''

When questioned about his feelings toward the play's treatment and strong subject matter, Scofield replied, ``We can't forever do `Our Town.' ''

Barker seemed to agree with Scofield's sentiments. She concluded that it is good for the actors to have this opportunity to ``get inside the skin'' of such cleverly crafted characters and that it is equally good for the Stage Door Theatre to branch out with a play such as ``Veronica's Room.''

The show's players all share a great love for the stage. Each actor described the drive to perform.

Barker, who began her career at age 11 in a production of ``Our Town,'' enjoys lending her personal finish to the characters she portrays.

Of the entire process, she said, ``It's acting, and I love it. To get up in front of an audience is me. I'm not really happy unless I'm acting.''

Frazeur, who started acting in high school, is also a free-lance journalist and published poet. Originally from New York, the lure of films and television brought her to California.

A brief fling with Hollywood, however, has helped her realize her complete devotion to the stage.

Uninterested in the ``business'' of the business, Frazeur simply wants to act. She measures her success by the amount of work she is able to do.

``I know I do good work, and I know I work hard. I could do film and TV, but life's too short not to be happy.''

Scofield returned to acting after leaving a career in television to pursue other avenues in life. Along the way, curiosity brought him back to his passion. ``Something was missing - like I should have stayed there.''

Almost afraid to question his pursuits and, perhaps, displaying some of the superstition for which thespians are famous, Scofield humorously remarked, ``I've never investigated where the magic comes from, 'cause I'm afraid it'll go away if I find it.''

``Veronica's Room'' will open Jan. 10 at 8:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $9 to $11, with an optional dinner show on Thursdays for $14.

For reservations and information, call [phone]. The Stage Door Theatre is located at 28311 Agoura Road.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1--ran in SIMI and CONEJO)

(2--ran in CONEJO only)

(1) Gisele Frazeur, playing Susan Kermer, above, has her hair brushed by Nancy Barker, who plays several characters. ``Veronica's Room'' appears at the (2) Stage Door Theatre, below.

Jeremy Greene/Special to the Daily News