THEATER REVIEW:

Giants can be good. We have this on no less an authority than Stephen Sondheim (“Into the Woods”). Now South Coast Repertory is proving to youngsters in its audience that some (emphasis here) giants can be very good, while others are plain rotten.

In its Theater for Young Audiences production of “The BFG (Big Friendly Giant),” SCR illustrates a story from Roald Dahl, who brought kids “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach.” As adapted by David Wood and directed by Anne Justine D’Zmura, it’s a bright and colorful fantasy.

With a cast of eight actors dividing multiple roles, “The BFG” cleverly overcomes the logistical problems involved in presenting a giant on stage. For the first act, an actor interplays with a doll representing the play’s leading character (while the actress in that role holds it). In the second, we view the giant’s gigantic head and hands above a wall at Buckingham Palace.

And, while the giant of the title is indeed big and friendly, there are a half-dozen others who are far more malevolent — going by such names as Bloodbottler, Bonecruncher, Meatdripper, Fleshlumpeater, Gizzardgulper and Childchewer. Parents should be wary of bringing preschoolers to watch.

A bright and vivacious Kate James enacts the central figure, Sophie, who’s being feted at a birthday party as the play opens. She begins to tell the story of the BFG, enlisting her playmates and parents as actors in a sort of “Man of La Mancha” format.

Sophie’s father (Preston Maybank) becomes the regular-sized version of the giant, a real pussycat who collects dreams to entertain youngsters. His interaction with the young girl is presented nicely.

Larry Bates, David DeSantos, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Louis Lotorto, Jennifer Parsons and Amy Tolsky don the gigantic head pieces to portray the gluttonous giants, doubling in other roles. Tolsky’s queen of England is a particular delight.

Nephelie Andonyadis has created a magical setting for a children’s fantasy, while Angela Balogh Calin’s costumes are properly bright and colorful. Christina Munich’s lighting and Tom Cavnar’s sound also enrich the experience.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “The BFG (Big Friendly Giant)”

WHERE: Argyros Stage, South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays at 2 & 4:30 through Nov. 18

COST: $20 - $27

CALL: (714) 708-5555

Handling a powerful courtroom drama

When Golden West College opens Aaron Sorkin’s “A Few Good Men” this weekend, director Tom Amen and the cast have a tough act to follow — the popular movie version.

Most audience members will be familiar with the story of two marines on trial for the death of a third, particularly when it comes to the courtroom showdown between the young Navy lawyer and the powerful Marine Corps colonel. These roles were drawn indelibly on the screen by Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.

“There are exceptional roles in this play, and I think our actors will benefit enormously from the challenges that these roles provide,” Amen said.

“The trick is striking a balance between paying homage to the iconographic moments that these actors created in the enormously popular film,” Amen said, “while remembering that this play was initially performed by actors far less ingrained in the public psyche.”

According to Amen, Sorkin’s stage play is every bit as powerful as the later screenplay, and the Golden West production “plays into the strengths and dramatic tension of Sorkin’s writing.” Sorkin, it might be noted, went on to create another bunch of memorable characters, the inhabitants of TV’s “The West Wing.”

“This is very powerful, provocative and timely material, particularly in light of the current controversy surrounding the Marine Corps base at Guantanamo,” Amen said. “However, at its heart, the play is not a political piece but an engaging, suspenseful courtroom drama in the spirit of predecessors like ’The Caine Mutiny.’

“Finally, it is a thought-provoking meditation on the age-old question of whether the imposed duty to follow orders supersedes the inherent duty to follow one’s own conscience. It’s strong stuff,” Amen said.

At Golden West, the role of Lt. Kaffee will be played by Damien Xavier Johnson, making his debut at the college, while A.K. Zellar takes the pivotal role of Col. Nathan Jessup — striving, his director says, to avoid what we’ve termed “the Jack thing.”

Amen also lauds the work of GWC newcomer Lawrence Hemingway, one of the accused marines. Hemingway is an ex-marine himself and has been serving as an advisor to the director on military matters, along with another ex-marine, Jeremiah Cannone.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “A Few Good Men”

WHERE: GWC’s Mainstage Theater

WHEN: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., until Nov. 18.

COST: Tickets are $12 and $10

CONTACT: (714) 895-8150 or www.gwctheater.com

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear Thursdays.