Children Double as Stars in Stage Show of ‘Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing’

They travel with mothers, not publicists. They know toys, not agents. They prefer Disneyland to Hollywood.

Yet, Klee Bragger, 6, and L. R. Davidson, 4, have it made, sort of, in this town. Both play the troublemaker Fudge in “Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing,” Judy Blume’s popular book adapted for stage at the Coronet in Los Angeles. Klee handles most of the performances--three per week; L. R. fills in on Sundays.

The play, which opened Oct. 12, deals with sibling rivalry, and how parents can focus too much attention on the malcontent at the expense of the good child.

Klee, who plays the naughty child, has appeared in commercials for Canon cameras, Flintstone vitamins and Honda cars. His experience could fill a resume.

L. R. makes her acting debut here. She got the part when three others backed out at the last minute. She wears a wig to look like a boy.

Klee is a gifted child, attending the Intergate Academy of Arts & Science in Newbury Park. He read Agatha Christie mysteries at 4.

L. R. attends preschool at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Hollywood.

Recently, the two met with the press. Their moms can’t recall any prior interviews.

How much time did you spend preparing for the role?

“About a billion years,” Klee said. Mom, Allison Bragger, interjected with the truth: “We practiced an hour a day for two weeks.”

L. R. had nothing to add.

Were you two nervous?

“Why would I be?” a startled Klee responded. “It doesn’t happen very often that people forget lines. I’ve heard of stage fright, but it doesn’t seem to me that it happens.”

“No way, Jose,” L. R. said.

When on stage, do you feel like you live the part?

“I believe I’m Fudge,” said L.R., already at 4 an actress who knows how to become her character.

“I’m Klee,” the more experienced Klee said.

(Five minutes, and the two are bored. Klee is thirsty and complains: “So many questions.” L. R. is playing with her toy ponies.)

Do you ever get tired of the play?

“Yes. Because there’s no drinks and food, except in those flowers I have to eat,” Klee said.

L. R. had nothing to say. She was just staring at Klee, clearly his biggest admirer. It was time to ad-lib.

“I think he’s funny. I like it when he eats the flowers.”

Said Klee: “That’s all?” Now he’s interested in the interview. An ego at 6. “What we want to know is all the things you like about me.”

L. R. was finished with her list. She just laughed.

So what’s this play about?

Klee is totally puzzled, searching for an answer in his mother’s eyes. She won’t oblige. Finally, he offers something about Fudge, who is bratty, but not evil.

“I think there’s a difference between bratty and bad,” Klee said.

What’s the difference?

“I don’t know, but I know there’s a difference.”

L. R. tried to talk about the play’s message.

“I like the part where I mess up Peter’s homework.”

What do you want to do when you grow up?

“Everything,” Klee said.

Really?

“It was just a joke. . . . OK, three things: a teacher, a neurosurgeon and a king.”

L. R. laughed and gave her own list:

“Dentist. Farmer. Mother. And a princess.”

The future would have to wait. Klee and L. R. were off to school. Their first interview was history. They did not seem impressed.

“Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing,” the stage adaptation of Judy Blume’s children’s book, is presented at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and 1 and 4 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 25. Children 13 and under $5, adults $10. For information, call (213) 652-9199.