A Charming ‘Royal Baby’

The evil old miser is a kick, but the nurse runs away with the show in “The Royal Baby,” a new fairy tale that launches the first “Family Fun Matinee” series at Stages Theatre Center in Hollywood.

On an outdoor stage under trees and parachute silks, the show is performed Commedia dell’Arte-style, with masks, mime and much buffoonery. Written and directed by Sam Kuglen, it was too loose on opening day--some physical business demonstrated more energy than art, a running joke about rhyming aged quickly and cast member Tomas Voth, a last-minute replacement, was not yet comfortable with his lines.

Even with those flaws, however, the show has playful charm; with judicious tightening it could be standout family fare.

The tale is set in a long ago, vaguely European locale, where a King (Voth), unable to stop his infant son’s crying, turns the baby over to Adviser No. 1 (John Lacques).

The baby (a rag doll) is then passed on to advisers Nos. 2 and 3 (Kathleen Coyne, Casey Kramer), to a sympathetic servant (Darleen Jaeger) and then into the clutches of the evil miser Pantalone (Michael G. Battin), who demands a ransom.

The King’s old nurse, delightfully played by Jean-Louis Aylon in massive padding and sculpted mask, saves the day and makes the king realize his parental neglect.

Jaeger is appealing and Battin’s villainous Pantalone is a hoot, but Aylon’s comic expertise, from his dainty “Oopla” as he jumps offstage, to his deliciously mimed apple-eating scene, takes the show into another realm entirely. As he sweeps other cast members into his rhythm, “The Royal Baby” fulfills its promising potential.

John Lacques’ live musical accompaniment adds raucous humor; as costume coordinator Jaeger displays a witty touch (look for the diaper pins).

“The Royal Baby,” Stages Theatre Center, 1540 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood, Saturday, 3 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. Ends Nov. 30. $5 for children younger than 18; $10 per adult. (213) 466-1767. Running time: 1 hour, 15 minutes.

Tell Me a Story: For a long car trip, or quiet times, try “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Peachboy,” “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” and “The Fool and the Flying Ship,” on CD or audiocassette. The first four recordings in Rabbit Ears Productions’ “We All Have Tales” children’s story series, originally broadcast over Showtime, are now available on the Kid Rhino label.

Memorably narrated by such talents as Michael Palin, Sigourney Weaver, Max von Sydow and Robin Williams, with music by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, keyboardist Ryuichi Sakamoto, Lyle Mays of the Pat Metheny Group and the Klezmer Conservatory Band, the recordings are accompanied by the illustrations of noted artists Edward Sorel, Jeffrey Smith, Vivienne Flesher and Henrik Drescher.