An adorable & fresh adaptation of "Snow White" at GCT

--- Theatre review

The children´s program at the Glendale Centre Theatre offers colorful, fun, sometimes spooky, but always charming adaptations of our favorite fairy tales. The current musical production of "Snow White," written by Craig Sabin and directed by Erin Villaverde, is no exception. If anything, it is more delightful, winsome, and definitely more witty, than the original.

The show opens with a glimpse of the fabled "Magic Mirror" played by the playful and petite Samantha Claire, who often steps through her life-sized frame to interact with the other players and sometimes with the audience.

As is custom at a GCT Children´s production, the first order of business is the calling and wishing of "Happy Birthday" to all the children whose grown-ups have previously alerted the theatre.

The Mirror and one of the D. Warfs named Dawn (Katie Harmon) gathered the thirty-odd kids around them on the stage, handing out colorful, lighted squeegee critters and singing the Birthday Song. These bouncing toys, which light up in a kaleidoscope of colors whenever the lights dim add an eye-appealing dazzle and glow to the normally dark set changes.

The celebrations finished, The Mirror announces, "It was a dark and stormy night…" and so begins telling the story of a woman obsessed with beauty, and a "cute" little innocent girl who aggravates her.

The Wicked Queen (Tosca Minotto) enters in glittery black and deep purple and sings, "Beauty, Beauty, it´s my duty … to be glorious!" while doing calisthenics to tango music. (A real hoot! You can never really dislike her!)

She queries The Mirror who announces that she is no longer the "fairest in the kingdom." When the Queen cries out, the Mirror says, "Let me reboot!" and the lights and music briefly wind down and then up (a humorous nod to today´s computer age).

However the answer is still the same and the Queen calls her Woodsman (GCT´s handsome regular, Patrick McMahon) to do away with Snow White. "But she´s so cute," begs the Woodsman who is then threatened with imprisonment (he and his parents) if he does not obey the command. "That´s not fair," he pouts, and the Queen answers, "No, I´m not the fairest in the land anymore."

A brief scene shows the Seven D. Warfs (Dan: Jack Bradley, Devinne: Camille Gibney, Dude: Leo Neill, Denise: Mikayla Roberts, Deb: Savannah Stockdale, and Darby: Malia Tyler) going off to work singing "The Mind Field."

The Woodsman leads Snow White (the perky, bubbly Jenna Bryson) to the center of the forest and in a series of faux thrusts tries to obey the Queen while he sings "The Hunting Song."

Meanwhile, deep in the forest, the handsome and suave Prince (Matt Ducey) with his trusty (and sardonic), able-to-talk steed, Mythical (Jeremy Williams), are on a quest to slay dragons and rescue fair maidens.

Nearby Snow White – escaped from the Woodsman´s dagger – comes upon a miniature cabin, cleans it up and lies down to nap. When the little men ("Hey, we´re girls too!") arrive home they are startled by the sleeping cutie. However, after introductions are made they all end up in a crazy disco-funk dance party.

Of course we all know about the Woodsman´s heart substituting "compromise," but the Queen seems pleased with his service when he hands over the evidence. "Call me, Wick," she says magnanimously. But when The Mirror reluctantly tells the truth, "Wick" sends him to the dungeon and takes matters into her own "vile" hands.

Meanwhile the Prince and Snow White meet and discover they are "compatible" by hilarious round about means. He pledges to do in the Wicked Queen and is off.

Then follows a sword fight, a poisoned apple, an ugliness that just won´t go away, and of course, finally, a very happy ending. (Even for the Queen in the epilogue.)

Parents, grandparents, and of course kids of all ages will love this musical version of the classic tale. The "wickedness" is not too scary for even the youngest of children, and the fun and frivolity will tickle them. The puns and asides will delight the adults and have them laughing along with their offspring. It´s a wonderful way to spend an hour and a half on a Saturday morning.

For reservations call the GCT box office at (818) 244-8482, or visit their website at www.glendalecentretheatre.com

Tickets: $13.00 for adults, $11.50 for 12 and under (Plus group rates for 25+)

Dates: Runs Saturdays at 11:00 am, through November 21, 2009.

Location: GLENDALE CENTRE THEATRE, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale, CA 91203