‘Pied Piper’ charms kids and parents

Tom Titus

Rats!

The Newport Theater Arts Center is infested with them -- big,

furry creatures with large rodent tails. Fortunately, behind those

beady eyes are a group of grade school (and below) kids having a

terrific summer and entertaining their parents and friends in the

process.

The occasion for this influx of pests is “The Magical Pied Piper,”

a new, more upbeat take on Robert Browning’s children’s classic “The

Pied Piper of Hamelin,” the annual summer children’s show at the arts

center. This time around, the youngsters’ involvement is more

prominent than ever.

Not only are there rats (10 of them), there are also cats (five),

all played by children, to accompany a cast of 10 grown-ups in this

ambitious project, all elaborately costumed and backed by an

elaborate set. All this and music, too.

Returning for her regular summer directorial turn, Terri Miller

Schmidt has created another winning production out of seemingly more

ingredients than she’s had to work with in the past. For a children’s

show, this “Pied Piper” is unusually detailed, dramatically and

technically.

The title role of Peter -- who eradicates the town’s rat problem

musically -- is well played by Andrew Vonderschmitt, a stalwart in

many Orange Coast College productions. His sweetheart, cutely played

by Heather Leanna, just happens to be the daughter of the town’s

mayor, who wants to keep his little girl at home.

Walter Lonsdale plays the self-important mayor in a style

reminiscent of Don Knotts on “Three’s Company,” only without his

razor-sharp comic timing. Ayal Willner, as his loyal deputy, provides

most of the brains of the office.

The tree fairy who bestows the irresistible talent on Peter is

gloriously played by Patty Zantos, who makes the most of her two

brief scenes. The pushy townspeople who force the mayor into action

are enthusiastically interpreted by Diane Cullen-Ruck, Joy Nussen,

Marie Nussle and Gail O’Hea, abetted by Gary Cohen and Joshua Wasbin.

The singing and dancing rats are the spotlight grabbers,

particularly the youngest rodent, adorable 3-year-old Rebecca Yee.

Matthew Yee plays the leader of the pack, called Julius Caesar, with

appropriate authority. The balance of the contingent is played Sigal

Willner, Kiefer Cohen, Julie Ruck, Marc Cohen, Zachary Yee, Jasmine

O’Hea, Jake Baxter and Brooks O’Hea.

Joshua Wasbin, as Thomas Katz, drills the feline squadron composed

of Yael Willner, Matthew Timsit, Dvorah Elster and Alexa Barnes. They

may be just along for the ride, but they’re an attractive addition to

the show.

Schmidt can’t resist adding a few of her own touches to the

production, borrowing one of the bits from the ever-popular movie

“The Wizard of Oz,” which is calculated to induce chuckles from the

young audience.

Musical director Vern Nelson and choreographer Bethany Reid keep

the pace humming, and the youngsters “sell” their animal characters

quite nicely. Mitch Atkins’ lighting is fine, especially the segments

involving the glowing tree.

“The Magical Pied Piper” is an ideal show for younger children,

and their parents should be thoroughly entertained, as well.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.