STAGE REVIEW : Persevering in the Chippewa Way in ‘Love’

The magic potions of the Chippewa hold special power. But they are not as strong as memory makes them, not as strong as human emotion. Louise Erdrich’s “Love Medicine” details the minor odyssey of Lipsha, a Chippewa youth living with his grandfather and white grandmother in the Dakotas.

From the viewpoint of his early 20s, Lipsha calls back visions of his grandparents and the love medicine that held them together, as well as his first brush with his own magic, when he learned that his touch could soften pain.

He learns of other magic too, in the Mark Taper Forum’s first Literary Cabaret of the season at the Itchey Foot Ristorante. Adapted with care by Edit Villareal from Erdrich’s story, the hourlong piece is a charmer. Under the loving direction of Roberta Levitow, the cast of three caresses the author’s words with understanding and affection.

Joseph Runningfox, as the youth remembering these magical days of Lipsha’s teen years, has insight into the quicksilver working of Lipsha’s mind, and the melodies of Erdrich’s writing. Beatrice Manley and George Randall are the crusty older couple, polished with humor and clearly etched.

While the poetry of the grandparents’ relationship and Lipsha’s concern for them is the focal point of the story, Erdrich is talking about much more. She is talking about the old order persevering, about the grandeur of Grandpa’s assaults on Washington and about his call to second childhood like “a call for the priesthood.” She is talking about Grandma’s dedication to this difficult, extraordinary man, the heritage of trust they pass on to the boy.

Novelist and short-story writer Erdrich has that rare ear that can re-create the poetry of common speech unerringly; she knows her territory, the Dakotas, as thoroughly and lovingly as Jesse Stuart knew Appalachia. She brings an original gift to the language. Her voice is striking and resonant, her humor and understanding as strong a potion as any devised by Lipsha and his Grandma.

Soulful punctuation is provided by flutist Trinidad Krystall.

At 801 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, Sundays at 6 p.m., through Nov. 19. Tickets: $8; (213) 972-7373.