STAGE REVIEW : More Than a Puff of Magic in Lamb’s ‘Dragon’ : Play: First-rate musical captivates youthful audience at the East County Performing Arts Center in El Cajon.

Next time you patronize the Old Globe, the La Jolla Playhouse or the San Diego Repertory Theatre, take a look around and count the children in the audience.

It shouldn’t take too long. Pre-adolescent children are virtually non-existent at local productions.

Parents just don’t take their kids to the theater. Tickets are expensive, most plays deal with adult themes and most kids would rather see an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie than a Lee Blessing drama.

Still, if children are never introduced to live theater, they are less likely to support theater as adults. Given the financial instability of most troupes, this could become a considerable problem.

Thankfully, the Lamb’s Players Touring Company is addressing the future. The group’s current San Diego premiere production of “Puff the Magic Dragon” at the East County Performing Arts Center is first-rate, a high-quality, professional staging of a play designed expressly for children.

Gillette A. Elvgren’s musical “Puff the Magic Dragon” is based on the Peter, Paul and Mary song of the same name. The song was released in May of 1963 amid some controversy--many thought “Puff” was a paean to drug use, when in fact it was simply one of the trio’s many children’s songs.

Eric Briner initiates the theatrical proceedings by walking on stage in a business suit and asking the audience if it’s ready for the evening’s program, “Doing Math Problems.” The kids in the crowd, momentarily dazed, don’t know how to react to Briner’s put-on. They squirm perceptibly until Briner admits his joke and introduces the evening’s true event.

Applause, whoops and cheers fill the 1,200-seat auditorium.

Briner next informs the young theatergoers that they can help Jackie Paper (Paul Maley) and Puff (John Carroll) in their adventures by participating in the musical production. Briner tells the kids when to imitate thunder (clap), when to make bird noises and when to pretend they are sharks. The kids eat it up, performing their roles with delight throughout the 90-minute show.

Structurally, “Puff” resembles L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz.” The story revolves around Jackie Paper, a boy who becomes disenchanted with reality and runs away to the magical land of Honalee with his dragon-friend, Puff. Jackie and Puff embark on an adventure in Honalee, and, over the course of the play, Jackie realizes that there’s no place like home, and he eventually returns to his family and friends.

Responsibility is the central theme in this play. At the onset, Jackie is so burdened with his growing responsibilities (chores, work, school, etc.) that he decides to run away from it all. In Honalee, nobody has any responsibility, and life is fun all the time. Of course, Jackie discovers that nonstop fun isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

The Lamb’s Players production is not heavy-handed, however, in delivering that message.

Director Kate McConnell focuses most of her staging on simply telling the story of the play, and she allows the message to come through via the stage action.

Jackie’s learning experience crystalizes midway through Act II: “There’s got to be more to life than just fun,” he observes.

The cast sings the title tune at the beginning and at the tail end of the show. Noel Paul Stookey (the Paul in Peter, Paul and Mary), is one of three credited composers of the play. But, aside from the theme song, the other half-dozen tunes are less than memorable.

The players deliver some adroit, witty performances. Maley and Carroll are competent in the lead roles, but the supporting actors are the true stars. Luther Hansen is perfectly despicable as Captain Nitpick, the rogue who creates the chaos in Honalee. Christine Nicholson’s portrayal of Queen Hortense is appropriately shallow and extravagant. Teresa Marie Sanchez is also on target as the narcissistic Princess Hermione.

Nine-year-old actress Sarah Nicole Ruddy steals the show, however. Ruddy is simply wonderful as Jackie’s little sister, Christy Paper. The youngster conveyed humor and wit on stage without seeming the slightest bit precocious or phony.

The show’s production design helps give the show a professional feel. O. Patrick Hadlock’s platform set is simple yet sufficient. Costume designer Mirian Laubert crafts a bright, colorful collection of outfits, including an ornate, green Puff costume that the kids seem to love.

Lamb’s Players bills its “Puff the Magic Dragon” as “A timeless tale of wonder for all ages.” Not true. This production is for kids only. The show doesn’t really have much in it for adults, unless, of course, parents derive pleasure from watching their children become entranced with the magical possibilities of live theater.

“PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON”

By Gillette A. Elvgren. Based on the song by Peter, Paul and Mary. Music by Noel Paul Stookey, Betty Thomas and Ellen Gray. Director is Kate McConnell. Music director is Vanda Eggington. Choreographer is Pamela Turner. Sets by O. Patrick Hadlock. Costumes by Mirian Laubert. Lights by Brett Kelly. Stage manager is Jerry Reynolds. With Paul Maley, John Carroll, Christine Nicholson, Eric Briner, Sarah Nicole Ruddy, Teresa Sanchez, Luther Hanson and Sharon Maley. At 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. today and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday only at the East County Performing Arts Center, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon. Tickets are $8-$14. 474-4542.