‘Bug Story’ a Visual Delight, but It Crawls

It has eye-appeal and a sense of humor, but “Cinderella: A Bug Story,” presented by Max’s Playhouse at the West End Playhouse in Van Nuys, frustrates by not living up to its generous potential.

Writer/director/producer/designer Jim Houle’s imaginative spin on the familiar fairy tale has Prince Grasshopper (R.J. Wagner) looking for the perfect lead singer for the Royal Family Band. Cinderella Caterpillar fits the bill, but true love must overcome prejudice: Royal Family Band members Queen Bee (Monica McMurtry) and King Mosquito (Earl Groom Jr.) have an antipathy toward bugs without wings.

Meanwhile, Cinderella’s evil stepmother, the wacky Black Widow Spider (Groom, camping it up), orders sister Connie Cockroach (McMurtry again) to try out for the band. But she just wants to be free to live her own life.

Houle delights the eye, as he has in other productions, with cartoony set pieces and quirky costumes. An overturned tuna can becomes a stage; Cinderella (Theresa Lloyd) is a coquette in pink ruffles and polka dots, and garbage-laden Connie Cockroach brings new meaning to recycling. Queen Bee has a beehive hairdo, literally.

But Adam Wilner’s undynamic score and Groom’s erratic choreography deplete interest and Houle undermines his own creative efforts with uneven staging. Pacing slackens, movement is clumsy at times and while the cast is likable, bobbles in both action and dialogue demonstrate the need for a stronger directorial hand.

“Cinderella: A Bug Story,” West End Playhouse, 7446 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, Saturdays, 1 p.m. Indefinitely. $7. (818) 506-0685. Running time: 45 minutes.