Family : In Other Words, ‘Snow’ Could Have Happier Ending

The visual world of the Brothers Grimm is lovingly re-created in the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre production of “White as Snow, Red as Blood,” a retelling of the story of Snow White. The slow and wordy script, however, poses a problem.

Robert L. Smith’s set design--with tall mirrors, which adorn Grecian periaktoi columns and turn to indicate the dense forest, and with a forest cottage that comes together from opposite sides of the stage--looks like old illustrations. The use of black-clothed Japanese bunraku to help change scenery and props is very effective.

Dwight Richard Odle’s costumes are charming, and the staging is beautifully lit by Kraig Aaronson. David Edwards’ sound design gives warmth and fullness to Diane King Van’s original musical score.

The company’s adult and younger actors are excellent under Joe Lauderdale’s well-blocked and nicely variegated direction.

Michelle Fincher is properly sweet and wise as the shade of Snow White’s real mother, and Snow White at 7 (Adrienne Tygenhof) and at 16 (Claire Gaboury) seems the same person in the delightful performances of the young actresses playing her. Lisa Hale is a frightful and nasty stepmother Evilun, as she’s supposed to be, and Diana Caroti even more effective as HerSelf, Evilun’s alter ego behind the mirror.

As Robin, the huntsman who is supposed to bring Snow White’s heart to Evilun, Michael Hollingshaus has a good earthy quality and a sense of forthright concern that’s on the button, but when Hollingshaus returns as the Prince, he seems at a loss to provide the underwritten character much personality.

The Dwarfs (Avi Jessel, Steven Schrenzel, Kyle Pierce, Greg Sickles, Erica Waddell, Michael Irish and Grant Ginder) are often funny, particularly in their militaristic marching, and endearing in their concern for poor Snow White.

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The fact that several of the Dwarfs look like giants compared with either Snow White is only one of the problems with the overblown adaptation of the story by V. Glasgow Koste. It is too wordy and static by far for a young audience, which was also turned off by the tale’s repetition.

At Sunday’s matinee, the longer scenes found wiggling bodies in the audience and conversations with parents during slow moments. Attention was regained, however, as soon as something happened onstage.

Some not-so-subtle anachronisms don’t help.

Many unnecessary slow moments in Lauderdale’s direction and actors’ line delivery seem out of place for today’s kids, who are used to lightning-fast words and movement, detracting from his otherwise exceptional vision of the imagination that flowers in the forests of the Brothers Grimm.

* “White as Snow, Red as Blood,” Moulton Theater, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Thursday through Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends Sunday. $10; ages 4-13 $7. (714) 494-8022. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.

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Michelle Fincher: The Good Queen Mother

Adrienne Tygenhof: Snow White age 7

Claire Gaboury: Snow White age 16

Lisa Hale: Evilun

Diana Caroti: HerSelf

Michael Hollingshaus: Robin/Prince

Avi Jessel: Earthun

Steven Schrenzel: Airun

Kyle Pierce: Fire-Ur

Greg Sickles: Oshun

Erica Waddell: Oldun

Michael Irish: Goodun

Grant Ginder: Kindred

A Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre production of V. Glasgow Koste’s adaptation of the Brothers Grimm story. Directed by Joe Lauderdale. Original music: Diane King Vann. Scenic design: Robert L. Smith. Lighting design: Kraig Aaronson. Sound design: David Edwards. Costume design: Dwight Richard Odle.