A Rewarding ‘Androcles’ at the Coronet

Slapstick, quirky rhyme and exuberant staging make the Serendipity Theatre Company’s modest production of “Androcles and the Lion” a winner at the Coronet Theatre in Hollywood.

Written by top children’s playwright Aurand Harris, the commedia dell’arte adaptation of the classic fable about a kind deed rewarded is a romp from its pre-show funny business to the happily-ever-after finish.

Under Sam Kuglen’s smooth direction, the action flows. The lovely Isabella (Lisa Picotte) and handsome Lelio (David Kaufman) want to marry, but Isabella’s greedy guardian, the miser Pantalone (Eugene Rubenzer) is determined to prevent it.

Pantalone enlists the aid of the arrogant, buffoonish Captain (Denys Gawronski) to keep the lovers apart. “Observe how handsome I am,” says the Captain. “50 women swooned today.”

Pantalone’s good-hearted slave, Androcles (Jeremy Scott), who yearns for freedom, risks his life to help Isabella and Lelio elope. Along the way, he encounters that lion (Robert Watzke) who stepped on a thorn. . . . In the end, of course, love and justice prevail.

The actors make the most of stylized masks (designed by Rubenzer) and comically exaggerated body movements, periodically breaking out of character to tease the audience and to take turns at providing musical accompaniment on drums and gongs.

The audience gets into the act in a big way, encouraged to cheer and hiss and call out encouragement during chases.

Ken Realista’s dappled lighting lends interest and Jack Zoltak’s simple sets are done in humorously skewed proportions and eye-pleasing watercolors.

* “Androcles and the Lion,” Coronet Theatre, 366 N. La Cienega, Fridays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; matinees, Saturdays, 2 p.m.; Sundays, 1 and 4 p.m. Ends March 24. $6-$10. (213) 652-9199, Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.