Facing ‘Hairy’ fears

The production of “Wiley and the Hairy Man” by the Youth Theater of the Laguna Playhouse not only is neatly entertaining, but it also might inspire young people to confront their own particular fears.

Suzan Zeder’s folk tale, set in a gruesomelooking location known as the Tombigbee River Swamp, illustrates how a youngster might overcome the bogeyman in his or her own life. It’s a splendid lesson in self-confidence, wrapped up in a Halloweenish package of superstition and sorcery.

Directed by Joe Lauderdale, longtime director of the Youth Theater before his recent retirement, “Wiley” is the restaging of a show Lauderdale mounted some 17 years ago when he first began his career at the playhouse.

The central character, Wiley, is a boy of about 12 who is deathly afraid of a swamp fiend known, for good reason, as the “hairy man.” It seems this ogre caused the disappearance of the boy’s father and has targeted Wiley for future elimination.

This we know thanks to a five-youth chorus of swampy denizens who chant “he got your father and he’s gonna get you” repeatedly until young Wiley (Cooper Smith) is somewhat of a basket case. His only protection is his dog (Peter Hagen in appropriate canine attire), since, “as everyone knows,” the hairy man can’t stand dogs.

Fortunately, Wiley’s Mammy (Tisha Belantuoni) is a renowned conjure-woman, and she discovers, in her book of black magic, that if you trick the hairy man three times, he’s out of your life forever. So Wiley summons enough courage to attempt just that.

Smith gives a terrific performance as the terrified but determined Wiley, and Belantuoni is very strong as his no-nonsense Mammy. Hagen’s hound dog is a particular comic delight.

Swiping the show from all of them, however, is Terry Christopher as the menacing hairy man, a swamp creature who hasn’t had a shave and haircut (or probably a bath) for decades. Christopher’s roaring specter is enough to establish effect without scaring the bejabbers out of the younger playgoers.

The swamp chorus -- Synde Ames, Victoria Dickerson, Tyler Logan, Jodi Naglie and Cody Sprague -- performs yeoman work in a variety of assignments, the most creative being a cooking fire. Their contributions are essential to the overall effect.

Dwight Richard Odle’s eerie swamp setting -- a variety of poles and platforms -- is beautifully illuminated by Bill Georges, with additional atmospheric punch from Dave Edwards’ ominous sound effects.

Following tonight’s and Saturday’s performances, the audience may sit in on an informal discussion with the show’s cast and crew.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “Wiley and the Hairy Man.”

WHERE: Youth Theater, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. tonight; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday.

COST: $16 and $20

CALL: (949) 497-2787, ext. 120051104h3hei2kf(LA)