West End’s ‘Snow White’ Needs Bolder Direction

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the first offering from Mockingbird Productions, a new children’s theater company of adult professionals, is something of a frustration at the West End Playhouse in Van Nuys.

When the cast comes out en masse to introduce the show, the vivid costumes, easy humor and assured energy set up high expectations of fun to come. Those expectations are only partially met, however, as Carol Weiss’ unmemorable musical version of the familiar tale gets underway.

From then on, with few sparks kindled by director Bryan Leder and choreographer Steffany Vance, and several late recorded musical cues, it’s primarily the actors’ appeal and young audience members’ unexpected vocal responses to the proceedings that provide the most entertainment.

The elements that work best are those that are unconventional: The wicked queen’s magic mirror (Jeff Wallach, in an enjoyable turn) isn’t the usual stuck-on-the-wall talking head, but a walking, talking character. The evil queen (Melissa Tutor) isn’t alone in her mischief: She has a Southern belle-type bad sister, Witch Wicked (Laurel Marsh), who giddily interacts with the audience. Sean Gilboy is an assured, humorous presence as Sir Pompous de Frompus, a timid minion of the queen.

The group of children who play the seven dwarfs are capable enough. But having an eighth dwarf named George played by an adult to get a laugh is a joke that fades fast, unfortunately.

Meanwhile, costume designer Pauline Anderson dresses most of the cast in sumptuous finery, a direct contrast to the bare, dusty stage. As Snow White, though, perky Michele Aimee Moore is unaccountably stuck in yellow satin and puffed short sleeves a la Disney, while Tracy Deitrick who dances as Snow White in a dream sequence, breaks the spell with raggedy toe shoes beneath her graceful gown.

Overall, there’s a sense that this is a company that could shine given bolder direction and more inspired material.

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” West End Playhouse, 7446 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, Saturday, noon and 3 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m., indefinitely. Tickets, $6-$7; (818) 346-3671.

Playtime: Professional actors and directors will stage “Tomorrow Today,” original one-act plays written by inner-city children, from Feb. 4-Feb. 7 at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica. The event is part of the Virginia Avenue Project, a program that brings at-risk children together with adult professionals in a long-term theater arts experience.

Created in the Project’s “Playmaking” program, the plays were written by nine children, ages 8 to 14, to express their vision of the future. Performances are Thursday through Sunday at 8 p.m., plus 3 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Reservations: (310) 660-8587.

Family Affair: A second season of “Children’s Concerts in Historic Sites,” presented by the Da Camera Society of Mount St. Mary’s College, kicks off on Feb. 20 with African-American music, storytelling and treats at the California Afro-American Museum.

Hosted by conductor and music educator James Forward, the concerts introduce children age 4 and up to varieties of music, and to local museums as well.

The series continues in April with performances by the Armadillo String Quartet and storyteller-puppeteer Betsy Brown at the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum and in May at the Pacific Asia Museum, featuring the sounds of the CalArts Gamelan Ensemble and Indonesian myths and tales told by Peter Kors.

Tickets for each event are $10 per child and $18 per adult; a $39 family package is available for two adults and two children. Information: (213) 747-9085.