The Adventures of Little Red (Riding Hood, of course)

The Santa Monica Playhouse is a hidden jewel in one of America’s most scenic cities. Located just a block off the historic Third Street Promenade, the Playhouse is celebrating its fiftieth year and boasts a versatile performance schedule centered on overcoming the ever-growing problems faced by local small theatres. Their current production of The Adventures of Little Red (Riding Hood, of course) is an example of the weight the venue has placed on developing artistically viable children’s entertainment. Billed as a show great for ages 2 to 102, this production is, without a doubt, geared toward the younger portion of that age bracket. It also does, however, present elements that can be enjoyed by anyone who values entertainment that delights children and gives family a gateway to the arts through which the next generations may joyfully pass.

Evelyn Rudie and Chris DeCarlo have crafted an endearing show presented at a brisk pace that keeps the audience engaged and involved from beginning to end, successfully avoiding the sometimes vulgar and disjointed theatrical elements that often doom children’s theater. The classic fairytale is partially intact here, but this production is by no means traditional. Upon approaching the box office, audiences are greeted and shown to their seats by the cast of characters, including the plucky and formidable Little Red (Serena Dolinsky). The picturesque set in this intimate space highlights the care taken with all aspects of the undertaking. When the lights go up, the audience is treated to a story that follows Little Red on her final day of childhood as she frolics in the Black Forest with her Mother (Cydne Moore), the Hunter Siegfried (James Cooper), and sisters Gertrude (Betsy Albert), and Pusnelde (Jennifer Saltiel). As Little Red begins her proverbial coming of age venture to Grandma’s House, she finds a stranger among her woodland friends, Baron Wolfgang Von Wolfgang, Junior (Garett Stevens), who is unknowingly betrothed to Little Red and is compelled by duty to find his bride. Together, they journey deeper into the forest and into love as the hours of Little Red’s youth wane and the quick rising moon looms on the horizon.

Moore and Cooper are punny, funny, and spry as the elder members of this forest family, giving the story an added consistency with their strong performances. Stevens lends energy to the tale from beginning to end, and Albert and Saltiel blend melodic voices with playful characterizations to fully bring us into this fairytale world. Dolinsky, as Little Red, offers up a performance that is both intellectual and innocent with an assuredness and ease of character that punctuates the multi-layered themes of the fairytale and the fun of this adaptation.

There should be no hesitation in bringing children to this extremely family-friendly environment. The Santa Monica Playhouse has created a rare atmosphere that effectively shows their dedication to their patrons and to each show. This production of Little Red shows theatrical devotion in a big way.The Adventures of Little Red (Riding Hood, of Course) runs Saturdays at 3:00 and Sundays, 12:30 February 11 through May 20, 2012 at the Santa Monica Playhouse.