Theater Review

Tom Titus

If there exists such a thing as a children’s allegory, then Orange

Coast College has discovered it.

OCC’s Children’s Theater Company is offering a translation of the

French fable “The Little Prince” at the college’s spacious Robert B.

Moore Theatre. This is not to be confused with that other French fable at

the Orange County Performing Arts Center -- a little thing called “Beauty

and the Beast.”

Adapted from Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s 1943 novelette, which has

enjoyed worldwide popularity, “Little Prince” is both appealing and

mystifying as it weaves its fragile tale of a stranded aviator in the

Sahara Desert (not the ideal place to be in 1943) and a young visitor

ostensibly from another planet who alters the pilot’s outlook on life.

Director Rick Golson has rendered the show as kid-friendly as

possible, short of interacting with the audience. The production exudes

an enticing tenderness -- especially in the performance of the title

character -- that tends to overcome the script’s inherent ambiguity.

While the prince and the aviator occupy the lion’s share of stage

time, it’s the ever-changing sky designed by David Scaglione that merits

the most oohs and aahs. This backdrop, illuminated by Dave Dunbrack’s

lighting designs, is a splendid visual effect rich in colorful

effervescence.

As the frustrated aviator/narrator, Michael Cavinder is eloquent in

relating his adventure to the audience, less convincing in his scenes

with the prince. There is more desperation to be mined in this character,

particularly when trying to ascertain the riddles his young visitor spins

so joyfully.

The little prince is, in fact, a princess. Daunielle Hauser delivers a

wondrous interpretation, with naivete intermingled with wisdom. She is

especially winning in her scenes involving the “taming” of a fox,

illustrating the blending of contrasting cultures.

Hauser excels at drawing the younger audiences into the story.

Of the supporting players, most are brief cameos; but two stand out.

Miracle Ann Laurie enacts the lovely flower that consumes the prince’s

ardor with an attitude bordering on royalty, while Brandon “Scooby” Jones

delivers a rollicking characterization of the fox, so enthusiastic and

anxious to be domesticated.

Nicely costumed by Cynthia Corley, “The Little Prince” wins high marks

for visual effect, though its script seems to have suffered a bit in the

translation from the French.

Youngsters, who have no such qualms, should enjoy the show immensely.

***

The Theater District may be without a home base after clearing out of

its Costa Mesa digs on Bristol Street, but the show still goes on uptown.

Director Mario Lescot’s production of “Five Women Wearing the Same

Dress,” by Oscar-winner Alan Ball (“American Beauty”), recently closed an

engagement at the Met Theater and reopened last Friday at the Cast

Theater, both in Hollywood. It plays there through Aug. 6 with ticket

information available at (323) 466-0944.

“We’re incredibly excited about our newfound relationship with the

Cast Theater,” Lescot said. “The Cast has made us feel right at home and

in return, we hope to bring something very special to Los Angeles

audiences with our production.”

Lescot and his troupe still consider Costa Mesa home and hope to

relocate here some day, but until then, our loss is L.A.’s gain.

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

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

* WHAT: “The Little Prince”

* WHEN: 10 a.m. today and Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday

* WHERE: Orange Coast College’s Robert B. Moore Theatre, 2701 Fairview

Road, Costa Mesa

* HOW MUCH: $5 in advance, $7 at the door

* PHONE: (714) 432-5880, Ext. 1