FAMILY : A Toilsome Journey to ‘Narnia’

The Orange County Children’s Theatre likes to put on larger-than-life productions, shows that fill an auditorium stage, shows with sophisticated music . . . shows for kids, in other words, that are not “kiddie shows.”

“Narnia” (based on “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” the first story in C.S. Lewis’ seven-part “Narnia” epic) is no exception. Ted Drachman’s lyrics and Thomas Tierney’s music fit a classic Broadway mold: They drive the plot, and they reveal character. The moods range from light comedy to emotional tragedy. There are intimate numbers, spectacle numbers . . . the only thing missing is the Big Dance Number. This is an adult-sized musical.

And though Jules Tasca’s book (while remaining generally faithful) compresses some of the action in Lewis’ tome, this is a musical that clocks in at an adult-sized time: 2 1/2 hours. For most kids under, say, 10, that’s one hour too long.

It all would seem much shorter if Jack Millis’ staging at the Westminster Cultural Arts Center had a portion of the charm of Lewis’ book, which remains popular because of its skillful mix of animal characters, realistic kid heroes and light, conversational narrative. Here, things plod where they should skip, and the mostly juvenile-age cast is expected to do too much in the heavy drama department. “Narnia” is, in general, too much for them, and for us.

It shouldn’t come across that way. As we follow siblings Peter (Ryan Devin), Susan (Darcy Mack), Edmund (Brandon Force) and Lucy (Marissa Nix) exploring a wardrobe in an old British mansion, only to find themselves in the snowbound land of Narnia, a metaphoric fantasy should take hold of the imagination.

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In this place torn between the forces of good (ruled by Aslan, the exiled lion king, played by Joe Alfred Lopez Jr.) and evil (Queen Jadis the White Witch, played by Jennifer Anne Brennan), the kids are drawn into a moral struggle: Can Aslan break the power of Jadis, which has kept Narnia in an ice age?

Parents may note that Lewis’ tale, written in 1950, contains parallels to the Cold War. And, like the Cold War, when it’s over for the four kids, it all seems like a bad dream.

Tasca emphasizes some serious matters that Lewis skirts past, as when Aslan lectures young Edmund, who has been drawn into the Queen’s aura and is deceitful to his siblings. As Millis mentions in the program notes, this “Narnia” wants to make points and deliver messages.

All of which is admirable, if only the package were more enticing. The multiple battle scenes are startling and ambitious for youth theater. But the many scene changes and the score’s demands give the unfortunate impression of kids having to work too hard. Choppy stage miking also is unfriendly.

A few of the kids rise above and really show their stuff. Lauren Stanley’s Tumnus puts across the title song with a gentle sense of yearning. Matt Levine and April Quinn as Mr. and Mrs. Beaver make the most of every comic moment. Brennan imparts chilly imperiousness as the Queen, but Lopez must work on his singing. Devin, Mack, Force and Nix are nicely cast in difficult, reactive roles. The action has a storybook look with Daryn Mack’s versatile lighting and Gena Strelow’s cute and ambitious costumes.

* “Narnia,” Westminster Cultural Arts Center, 7571 Westminster Blvd., Westminster. Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Ends Sunday. $3 to $5. (714) 502-2244. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Joe Alfred Lopez Jr.: Aslan Jennifer Anne Brennan: Queen Jadis Ryan Devin: Peter Darcy Mack: Susan Brandon Force: Edmund Marissa Nix: Lucy Matt Levine: Mr. Beaver April Quinn: Mrs. Beaver Susie Lewis Freyr Patrick Keefe: Fenris Ulf Lauren Stanley: Tumnus An Orange County Children’s Theatre production of a musical based on the novel by C.S. Lewis. Book by Jules Tasca. Lyrics by Ted Drachman. Music by Thomas Tierney. Directed by Jack Millis. Musical director: Carolyn Bjerke. Choreography: John Accursi. Lights: Daryn Mack. Costumes: Gena Strelow. Scenic artist: Marge Swenson.