Children’s Theater Review : ‘Snow White’ Adds Light Touches for Fun, Comfort

A night light can give a child an extra measure of security, and Broadway on Tour children’s theater production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” provides one, literally and figuratively.

Adapted from the fairy tale by BOT founder Daniel Halkyard and show director Maria Gam-Hudson, this version (which continues Saturday and Sunday through June 26 at The City shopping center) sticks close enough to the original story line to be a comfort to children making their first venture into the unknown world of live theater.

Young Snow, driven from her castle by the venomous queen, finds sanctuary with seven dwarfs in the forest. Disguised as an old crone, the queen finds her and poisons her with a tainted apple, sending Snow into a (presumably) eternal sleep.

Naturally, the dwarfs are bummed. But soon the Handsome Prince arrives, plants a wet one on Snow’s forehead and revives her. Cue beaming dwarfs, exit happy couple. The end.

Just to make things a little cozier, Halkyard recently introduced the “BOT Night Light,” a small blue light that casts a reassuring glow during the show’s scarier moments.

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Fortunately for adults and older children, however, Gam-Hudson and Halkyard have thrown in plot twists and characterizations that keep the show from becoming too juvenile.

The 7- to 16-year-old cast handles the mix admirably; Holly Winters as Snow White and Kelly Godfrey-Allen (the cast’s only adult) as the Dark Queen, especially, play their parts with enough campy humor to carry even a bored preteen through the show’s 60 minutes.

In this version, Snow shares the spotlight with a new character, the Jester-Prince. It seems that Snow and her Prince were bosom buddies as children, but the two haven’t seen each other for nine years.

Now 16, Snow is preparing to be reunited and apparently wed to her Prince when, in a jealous rage over Snow’s beauty, the Queen sends her off to the forest to be killed by the huntsman.

When her life is spared, she finds housing with the help of her friend, the Court Jester who, under a spell from the evil Queen, is actually the Prince. The jester’s inability to reveal his true identity makes for some poignant moments between him and Snow, which actor Ryan Buttes plays up with controlled melancholy.

Another plus for older audiences is the fact that Winters plays this Snow considerably less saccharine than most.

In fact, she’s almost petulant. When the huntsman demands she give up a treasured pendant as proof to the Queen of her death, she pouts; and when the Jester offers her the dwarf’s cottage as a haven, she turns her nose up at their housekeeping and decorating habits.

The dialogue by Gam-Hudson and Halkyard also gives Winters some prime moments: When the queen-as-crone asks for lodging at the cottage, Snow cheerily refers her to “that nice little Motel 6 down the way. You know, the one with the little light on.”

The dwarf characters, which include talkative Gabby and the ever-despondent Gloomy Gus, are more one-dimensional by design, although Brian Michener’s Sarge does make the most of his military lingo.

And the repartee they and Snow engage in with children in the audience was a big hit at last Saturday’s performance. (Note: the first two rows are reserved at all BOT shows for young children.)

Godfrey-Allen anchors for the cast. Swathed in black and possessing a Grade A evil cackle, she is unquestionably the supreme mistress here. It’s no wonder that, in Halkyard’s remarks before the curtain goes up, he assures children that “she’s just an actor.”

A veteran of community and college theater, Godfrey-Allen knows how to stop short of melodrama and shows off a fine sense of comic timing with her throwaway lines as well as a touch of pathos when she meets her fate at the end of the show.

Costumes by Ambra Wakefield and Laurie Holden range from adequate to inspired (the Mirror’s silver and white confection is especially nice). Some choices for the recorded score are questionable, especially the disco tune to which Snow and her Prince jive at the beginning and end of the show.

* “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Broadway on Tour children’s theater, 20 City Blvd. East, Suite 138, Orange. Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Ends June 26. $5. (714) 385-1555. Running time: 1 hour. Snow White: Holly Winters

Jester-Prince: Ryan Buttes

Dark Queen: Kelly Godfrey-Allen

Cat: Courtney Koehler

Huntsman: Scott Nabb

Mirror: Cathy Bono

Dwarf: Sarge Brian Michener

Dwarf: Gabby Kourtney A. Brown

Dwarf: Snore Robyn Coffey

Dwarf: Gloomy Gus Paul DeWitt

Dwarf: Sprightly Pauline DeWitt

Dwarf: Slowpoke Georgina Klos

Dwarf: Ticklish Nicole Leverson

A Broadway on Tour production of the fairy tale, adapted by Marla Gam-Hudson and Daniel Halkyard. Directed by Marla Gam-Hudson. Producer: Sharon Hannenberg and Joanne Cuevas. Costumes: Ambra Wakefield and Laurie Holden. Sets: Neil Camplin/Production House. Lighting/sound design: Daniel Halkyard.