STAGE REVIEW : ‘PALE PINK DRAGON’ IS A MUSICAL FAIRY TALE

Question: Must college theater mean amateurish effort?

Question: Must children’s theater offer less than theater for adults?

The answer to both questions is a resounding “no,” as proven by such productions as Cal State Northridge’s “I Believe in Make-Believe” last fall and the Magic Carpet Band’s recent “Kids’ Writes Live.”

However, “The Pale Pink Dragon,” a musical fairy tale presented by Cerritos College Children’s Theatre, may lead its audience to a different conclusion. Written by Phyllis McCallum, the play is a wordy mishmash, with motivations spelled out in triplicate.

Princess Pinkie (Cindy Billhimer) is beloved by all--by all, that is, except her evil stepmother, Queen Contemptua (Astrid King), and stepsister, Princess Pea Green (Tricia Garcia), who plot to turn her into an ugly dragon.

Billhimer is a perfect fairy-tale princess. Dainty and graceful, she delivers her lines in a soft, lispy voice. But she suffers from the same deficiency most of the cast shares in this musical play: She can’t quite hit the notes.

No effort appears to have been made to accommodate range. The actors must go wherever Pauline and Richard Kelvin’s uninspired music and lyrics take them, and few arrive without mishap.

Ilean Rabens’ direction is responsible for a few downright embarrassing moments. Halfway through the play, with no precedent for audience participation, the witch (Linda Smith), with much hoopla, asks the audience if she should turn Pea Green into a snake. Despite a loudly enthusiastic response, Smith reveals that she has no intention of doing it at all, and the moment ends with a thud.

Equally awkward are scenes with Pinkie’s pet cat Hannibal (Laurel Anderson), who plays a key role in the proceedings. Hannibal doesn’t like the Queen or Pea Green, and makes a confusing show of hissing, scratching and scrambling around the stage to prove it.

Garcia as Pea Green fares better. She can sing, and she’s comfortable with her character--she’s nasty and lets us know it.

Sheen LeDuc’s painted sets could be brighter. Smith, credited with costume design, provides adequate fairy-tale garb, though the dragonflies and cats are not well served. The pink dragon costume (worn by two) is charming.

“The Pale Pink Dragon” plays at 11110 E. Alondra Blvd. in Norwalk, Friday, at 4 and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. It tours to Lakewood High School, Feb. 9; El Camino College, Feb. 16; Citrus College, Feb. 23, and UCLA’s Royce Hall, March 17. Information: 860-2451, ext. 521.