Family : ‘One Thousand Cranes’ Pleas for Peace

One of the world’s finest contemporary children’s plays is being given an earnest, respectful staging by the Young Conservatory Players at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa.

The company of theater arts students, ages 10 to 17, is presenting Colin Thomas’ “One Thousand Cranes,” a sensitive plea for peace told through the stories of two children. Buddy (Morgen Johnston) is a fictional boy of the Cold War ‘80s, obsessed with war play and fears of nuclear conflict. His emotional journey from feelings of vulnerability to strength of purpose is juxtaposed with the experiences of Sadako (Kristy Wu), a little girl in ‘50s Japan.

Sadako was a real child who died of leukemia after the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima. Her unquenchable spirit of hope--as an affirmation of long life, she folded 1,000 paper cranes during her illness, an act inspired by legend--is memorialized in a children’s monument to world peace, built in her image after she died.

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The 10-member cast, including two adults from South Coast’s Adult Conservatory, doesn’t communicate the shadings of the play, but under director Diane Doyle’s assured guidance, what the amateur actors lack in depth they make up for with sincere, well-disciplined energy. Her expansion of the cast--the original intention is for a small cast to play double roles--works smoothly.

And it’s difficult not to enjoy irrepressible Molly Dorfman’s own enjoyment of her role as Buddy’s scoffing friend or appreciate Skyler Tamura’s unexpected maturity as Sadako’s confidant.

Bright-eyed, well-spoken and seemingly unself-conscious Wu earns some sniffles and throat-clearings in Sadako’s gentle death scene, while her appearance at the play’s end in an elegant pink-and-white kimono, as she tells of Sadako’s monument--”This is our cry, this is our prayer: Peace in the world”--deepens the performance.

Thomas’ uplifting play is complemented by composer Michael Silversher’s poignant lyrics and melodies. Veteran South Coast Rep designer Dwight Richard Odle created the simple, quick-change sets and costumes; versatile lighting designer Donna Ruzika establishes mood in top-notch style.

* “One Thousand Cranes,” South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 4 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2 and 4 p.m., $8-$10; (714) 957-4033). For ages 5 and up. Running time: 1 hour.