Ingredients Don’t Quite Mix in Musical ‘Alexandra’

“Alexandra: The Art of Bear Detecting,” a new musical for children at Norwalk’s Excelsior Auditorium, has prime ingredients--a gifted professional cast, sweetness and humor and big song-and-dance numbers. It also has a work-in-progress feel; the mix hasn’t been stirred enough.

Alexandra (Kate Staiger) is an 11-year-old who one night dreams up a detective caper involving life-size teddy bears. The “bounce” is missing from tumbling mats at a local school and the big gymnastic competition is only days away. Mysterious footprints point to a renegade bruin named Bear Foot, but the clues don’t add up.

With her own teddy Bearigan (Steve Caputo) and her assistant, Buster (Rugg Williams), Alexandra Bear Detector solves the case.

Except for a few adult roles, the large cast, directed by Daniel Halkyard, is made up of young people--the youngest is 6. This doesn’t mean amateur time. These kids have plenty of professional credits between them and they can put a song over with a maturity that’s almost scary.

Staiger, petite and braided in her plaid deerstalker cap, handles the lead with assurance. Steve Real, a veteran of television’s “Star Search,” has an amazing, full-bodied voice and uses it to full advantage in a father-son duet with funny Stephen Reynolds, who plays Principal Plumpett.

Tamara Townsend as Penelope, Buster’s loyal girlfriend, is given the show’s best number, a rock lament with ‘60s girl group overtones called “Diamond in the Rough.” She delivers it with high style, backed up by friends Tomasina and Little Lilly Lu (bouncy Karen Angela and tiny dynamo Natalie Roth).

The problem is that as good as the musical numbers are--Bill Bodine did the score, Richard T. Nahhas the lyrics, and Darla Dickson the jazzy choreography--they’re not a smooth blend. And the story stretches itself too thin in trying to cover Principal Plumpett’s relationship with his son, Buster’s self-esteem, Alexandra’s confidence, friendship and acceptance of those who are different (in this case teddy bears).

The result is more talent showcase than show.

This is something of a family affair. Louis Gossett Jr. is the executive producer. His wife Cyndi James Gossett co-wrote and produced with Valerie Doran Nahhas, who co-wrote (with husband Richard) the original story upon which the musical is based.

At 15711 S. Pioneer Blvd. through Sunday; Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m. and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. $8-$10. (213) 480-3232.

If “Alexandra’s” flaws are a matter of fine-tuning, those of “Barnum” at the Moulton Theatre in Laguna Beach are more problematic. A musical about great circus impresario P. T. Barnum might seem a natural family show: an opportunity for clowns, color and razzmatazz for the kids and, for adults, the intimate history of the master of humbug, who counted on a “sucker born every minute” and gave the public hoaxes and wonders alike.

It’s an uneasy combination. The musical, written by Mark Bramble with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Michael Stewart, doesn’t quite know what to make of Barnum’s dark side, so it pretty much ignores it.

This Youth Theatre Production of the show, directed by Jody Johnston Davidson, does the same.

Scot Bennett, in the lead, sings with charm and dances and walks a tightrope with dash--he doesn’t miss a note of his solo as he traverses the wire.

But his Barnum, young and thin as a whip, is too boyish. His peccadilloes, from adultery to business finagles, hardly make a ripple in anyone’s equanimity. Nor is there a sense of the passage of time during his long career.

The cluttered dialogue left many children at Saturday’s matinee restless, and awkward scene transitions didn’t help.

On the plus side, Dwight Richard Odle’s costumes are appealing, particularly his astonishing variety of clown garb, and Ellis Pryce-Jones’ colorful circus set is just right.

Lisa Guzman, a tiny girl with a big voice, is irresistible as Tom Thumb, and Katy Henk has some sweet moments as Barnum’s loving wife Chairy.

The Playhouse’s Youth Theatre has good resources and potential; last year’s “Mother Hicks” was outstanding. This time, the choice was an awkward fit.

At 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach through Sunday; Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m. $3-$7.50. (714) 494-8021.