CHILDREN’S THEATER REVIEW : ‘The Hobbit’ an Easy Act to Follow

“The Hobbit,” based on the popular book by J.R.R. Tolkien, invites its audience on an adventure in a world of magic and monsters. In the production by the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre, that world is spread out over the grounds of Anneliese’s Willow Brook School, and the invitation is not to sit in a chair, but literally to follow hero Bilbo Baggins on his journey to conquer the dragon Smaug.

Moving from scene to scene with Bilbo and our strolling usher, Melissa, we encountered a magician, dwarfs, trolls, goblins, an elfin queen, a hissing sea serpent and, finally, the dragon himself. The young performers, none of them out of high school, played with confidence to the unpredictable configuration of viewers who surrounded the scenes sitting on benches, retaining walls, and on the ground.

The territory of Bilbo’s heroic undertaking is very effectively provided by the school site. Minimally augmented by a few artificial rock formations and colorful curtains, the courtyards, playground and walkways of the school serve as dens and mountainous passes. Dangers descend suddenly down staircases or reveal themselves beyond the shrubbery. The arrangement certainly makes for an attentive audience.

The actors command attention in their beautiful and cleverly detailed costumes by Rhonda Earick. The dragon has plates from a vegetable steamer for a collar. The goblins, clad in deliciously disreputable brown long johns, have wonderfully oversized ears and noses. Gollum, the sea serpent, is covered with watery flotsam and jetsam, including some of those round suction pads that claim to hold bars of soap.

Director Joe Lauderdale has done a fine job empowering his actors to take the story, and the audience, in hand. Although the energy of the narrative sometimes falls to the level of an interesting guided tour, all the performers are very visible and very audible. The heroes were a bit bland, but the goblins and trolls, played respectively by a trio of boys and a trio of girls, were daringly grotesque. Josh Wheeler deserves special mention for his sustained performance as the riddle-loving sea serpent.

Several volunteers get to play dwarfs and travel around with the actors, while the rest of the audience is asked for input from time to time. The hourlong performances are continuous, with a strolling usher guiding each group of 50 or fewer. Performances have been selling out, so be sure to call ahead. Little adventurers will love it.

‘The Hobbit’

The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre presents Brainerd Duffield’s adaptation of the book by J.R.R. Tolkien. Directed by Joe Lauderdale. With Tamara Hoffman, Alexis Mirman, Brad Bredeweg, Braunwyn Brown, Ashley Morgan, Elizabeth Cass, Sarah Buskirk, Meghan Cass, Nicole Parker, Jennifer Allen, Eddie Snyder, Evan Christiansen, Lawrence Bammer, Jamielee Stahl, Josh Wheeler, Richard Stauffacher, Melissa Altman, Molly Carillo and Jay Jokosky. Costume design by Rhonda Earick. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27 at Anneliese’s Willow Brook School, 20062 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Plays Saturdays at 10 and 11 a.m., noon, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.; Sundays at noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Tickets: $5 to $8. (714) 494-0743.