Sly Fox takes in Boston before heading to Broadway

Some of the stars were missing from the Academy's red carpet last night. They were here in Boston, onstage at the Shubert theatre, performing in the pre-Broadway run of Larry Gelbart's "Sly Fox." While the production still has a few kinks to work out before its Broadway debut, it is effectively held together by a talented ensemble of both well-known and up-and-coming actors.

Richard Dreyfuss plays Foxwell J. Sly, a miser who capitalizes on what everyone believes are his dying days. His aim is to accomplish the truly impossible: to take it all with him. With the help of his aptly named assistant, Simon Able (played by Eric Stoltz), he milks the crowd of opportunists surrounding his deathbed for all that they are worth. In return for their gifts of gold and financial fidelity, they are each promised to be the sole heir named in Sly's will.

"Sly Fox" was born in 1976 when, at the request of director Arthur Penn, writer Larry Gelbart adapted Ben Jonson's classic play "Volpone" into its more modern incarnation. "Volpone" (Italian for "fox") is a comedy about a corrupt businessman in 17th century Venice, seeking to maximize his wealth. "Sly Fox" is the story of a corrupt man trying to do the same in California during the Gold Rush.

Dreyfuss is entertaining, especially when he is playing the "dying" Sly. He gibbers uncomprehendingly in his four poster bed, convincing the brown-nosing fortune seekers around him that he really is only a few steps from death's door. While the idea that anyone would actually fall for Foxwell's ruses is highly implausible, it's the show's element of farce that transports the audience out of the drone of everyday life and into a world of theatrics that is much more fun.

The supporting cast of sycophants is remarkably rich. The actors include Bob Dishy as Abner Truckle, Rene Auberjonois as Jethro Crouch, and Bronson Pinchot (you may know him as Balky from "A Different World") as Lawyer Craven. Throwing themselves into their respective roles, they all play their parts well. Auberjonois, a decrepit old coot who disinherits his son in the hopes of gaining Sly's favor, is particularly convincing.

Elizabeth Berkley, of "Saved by the Bell" and "Showgirls" fame, makes her (pre)Broadway debut in "Sly Fox" as Mrs. Truckle, the pious and coveted wife of one of Sly's lackeys. Berkley is beautiful on stage, but her acting lacks nuance. She delivers her lines woodenly, which is adequate for the part of the cloistered, bible thumping Mrs. Truckle, but not terribly engaging. In contrast, Rachel York, who plays Miss Fancy, a fortune-seeking prostitute with a heart of gold, is charming and leaves the audience wanting more.

The set is beautiful. Masts of majestic ships soaring into the blue pacific sky are visible over the walls of Sly's "sickroom". When opened, the chest in which Sly keeps his riches shines like a beacon to his bloodsucking, money hungry entourage. The costumes are equally lush; Miss Fancy's vibrant bustled dresses highlight her as a sort of treasure in her own right.

With witty writing and a talented and capable cast, the show has some great moments. However, the cast still seemed to be finding its rhythms. There were moments when actors didn't wait for laughs, jumping too quickly back into a scene before the audience was ready to let go of the last funny moment. Similarly, there were some problems with acoustics. From the first row of the balcony, I had problems hearing some of the dialogue.

While the cast has yet to perfect the art of anticipating the character of a given audience, the show has great potential. The cast and crew will certainly take advantage of this week's run in Boston to work out the kinks before it hits Broadway with full force.