CHILDREN’S THEATER REVIEW : ‘Harriet’ Leads Kids on Imaginative Adventure

Bart Simpson, prepare to meet your match.

Defender of justice, champion of the underdog and all-around good kid, Harriet Handleman is the kind of girl who would send America’s favorite underachiever (“and proud of it, man”) running for cover. This weekend, kids can tag along on “The Everyday Adventures of Harriet Handleman, Super Genius,” an original children’s play presented by the Irvine Valley College Theatrefaire for Children.

Written and directed by Greg Atkins, “Harriet” traces a typical day in the life of this 10-year-old whiz kid: get up, catch the school bus, uncover a diabolical plot to destroy the world, and chase the villain across the globe with the help of a dreamy CIA agent. Then wrap everything up in time for the school science fair.

According to the author, the story embodies his own childhood adventure fantasies; accordingly, “Harriet” takes its cue from action-packed James Bond movies. There are chase scenes, a brush or two with certain death, enough gadgets and gizmos to satisfy 007 himself and even a little G-rated romance (a glance from the handsome CIA rep turns level-headed Harriet into Silly Putty). Be forewarned, Mom and Dad, you’re not going to catnap through this one. With virtually every scene in this 75-minute play punctuated by flashing lights, thundering music or zapping weaponry, “Harriet” is about as tranquil as a vigorous game of Pac-Man--and just as much freewheeling fun for the kids.

Stephanie Kinkel, 9, stars as super-genius Harriet, a normal fifth-grader who just happens to have an IQ of 289. (“I’m not smarter than anyone else,” she says modestly. “I just apply myself.”) With her frowzy jumper, black spectacles and sweet disposition, Kinkel is a wonderfully likable egghead who handles her super-hero chores with aplomb. Nathan Headrick, 9, is delightfully nerdy as Leonard Digbee, a dweeb’s dweeb whose only goal in life is to one-up Harriet. Fifteen-year-old Brian McMillen is amply nasty as the Shadowy Figure, and Bill Robertson, the cast’s only adult, brings a comic-book bravado to good guy Terry Anderson, CIA.

Imaginative (and plentiful) set pieces by Brad Elsberry and sound effects by Eric Kerns help transport Harriet and company on her globe-trotting adventures. The gang hitches a ride on a whirring helicopter complete with flashing panel lights, tangles with a giant octopus on the Great Barrier Reef and lands in hot water with Amazon headhunters, all within the stage’s 25-foot span.

One--no, make that two--complaints: While all the dramatic music was keen, it occasionally drowned out dialogue. And the brilliant flashes of the “tele-transducer” gun (one of Chris Medvitz’s many special lighting tricks) tended to wear on at least one pair of adult eyes.

“Harriet” is the third play written and directed for Theatrefaire by Atkins, who has taught youth and adult acting programs at South Coast Repertory and Long Beach City College. In 1989, Theatrefaire presented his version of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” and in 1990, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” which was recently selected for publication by Baker’s Playservice, a Boston-based theatrical publisher. The company has expressed interest in publishing “Harriet” as well, said Atkins.

Founded in 1982 by Blake and Charlene Gould, Irvine Valley Theatrefaire presents two family shows each summer on the campus of Irvine Valley College. Although past seasons have included such classics as “The Secret Garden” and “Tom Sawyer,” the group is now putting a greater emphasis on original works by local playwrights such as Atkins. From July 18 through 28, the group will present open-air performances of “The Adventures of Robin Hood” on the campus green.

“The Everyday Adventures of Harriet Handleman, Super Genius,” an Irvine Valley Theatrefaire production, written and directed by Greg Atkins. No intermission. With Stephanie Kinkel, Bennett Furlow, Nicole Parker, Scott Morgan, Jamie Rubin, Elisabeth Cass, Justin Morgan, Nathan Headrick, Brian McMillen and Bill Robertson. Sets by Brad Elsberry. Costumes by Mary Ann Griego. Lighting by Chris Medvitz. Sound by Eric Kerns. Performances are today and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., July 19 at 2 p.m., July 20 at 2 and 6 p.m. and July 21 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Irvine Valley College Forum Theatre, 5500 Irvine Center Drive. Tickets: $6 to $8. Information: (714) 559-3333.