A jealous vain queen, a sweet young stepdaughter, seven short miners, a huntsman and a wifeless prince drive the familiar story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the semi-dark, 19th century Brothers Grimm tale.
Little could the good brothers know that centuries later their characters would still find appreciative fans among the young and young at heart on Laguna Playhouse stage.
But, here they are in “A Snow White Christmas,” the light-hearted Lythgoe Family production that plays down the dark stuff and instead offers singing, dancing and action for the kids and clever inside jokes for adults, all of whom rock to ‘80s era music by a live band.
Portrayed with aplomb by Marina Sirtis, the story’s Evil Queen and former “Star Trek” television star, garners boos and hisses at every turn from the audience. Participation is a key ingredient of British Pantos, a holiday tradition based on raucous staging of traditional stories. It’s also deemed a great way to introduce kids to the joys of live theater. But, as they say across the pond, a pox on the bearded boob, who during the opening show last week applauded by whistling through his fingers at decibels fit for summoning cabs during rush hour.
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” the jewel-bedecked monarch queries, expecting the mirror’s accustomed reply. He comes through, for a time.
Neil Patrick Harris brings the mirror to life, but even surrounded by ominous wafts of smoke, he appears too clean-cut for the role.
Revealing that she’s fresh in from Beverly Hills, the Queen riffs on Laguna Beach, another place where presumably many ask the same question. She’s miffed at the provincial ambience rife with uglies and other perceived shortcomings.
The audience hisses and boos, but then cheers at the sight of James Royce Edwards spoofing the other Harry, also still single, as Prince Harry of Hermosa Beach.
Jonathan Meza steals the show, bouncing off stage boards and walls as Muddles, the queens amusingly befuddled, nimble footed court jester.
Later he is temporarily upstaged by the Seven Dwarves, who are not as
eager to get to work as the Grimm or Disney versions. They sing and carouse to tunes like the Village People’s “YMCA.” Disco has not sounded this good in ages.
Kudos go to the young actors that balance oversized head props and did not miss a step. Given the frequency of performances, they were divided into red teams and blue teams.
Similar praise belongs to music director Michael Sobie and arranger Michael Orland as well as to dancers Zarina Cabanilla, KT Madden, Talia-Lynn Prairie, Tanner Richins, Levi Curtis and Brandon Beltran.
Lindsay Pierce, known from the TV show “Glee,” enchants as Snow White. A noteworthy singer, she got into the spirit of the unwary innocent who wins over seven height-challenged old men with personality issues and finally bags Harry.
Clearly, nothing is taking seriously here. When the huntsman whom the queen assigns to bring back Snow White’s heart compassionately subs that of a pig, Muddles mutters. “Oh no, it’s Babe.”
At show’s end, several children were brought on stage to receive small gifts, another way to summon the magic of theater and holiday spirit.
Emerging back into a frigid Laguna Canyon, many looked buoyed a witty diversion from ongoing mall madness as well as sips of Champagne.
The show runs through Sunday, Dec. 27.
[…] the second panto performed at the Playhouse. Last year, audiences were introduced to the genre via “A Snow White Christmas,” a light-hearted take on a darkish tale, accompanied by singing and dancing to both vintage and […]