Theater Review : Adults Keep ‘Heidi’ From Fulfilling Potential

The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theater’s production of “Heidi” has some winning moments, chiefly when Heidi (Sara Buskirk) and her friends Peter (Gabriel Kalomas) and Clara (Cheryl Dowling) are teasing, taunting and playing on stage. But on the whole, the show lacks polish. And unlike the young actors in the show--who appear to be giving it their all--most of the adults are pretty unconvincing.

Yes, this is one case where the adults should be seen and not heard.

It’s too bad that this is such an uneven production, because “Heidi” deserves at least a fraction of the attention that “The Secret Garden” has received in the past few years as a film and Broadway musical.

The novels are remarkably similar. They draw their strengths from different physical environments--”The Secret Garden” celebrates the English countryside, while “Heidi” honors the Swiss Alps. But both concern orphan girls who heal themselves by healing another (teaching cripples to walk) and who find love by giving love (to an alienated, bitter old father/grandfather figure).

Thomas Olson’s adaptation fast-forwards past the opening of Johanna Spyri’s book, in which Heidi moves to her grandfather’s mountain and grows from a pale young girl into a healthy child--although we catch a whiff of that in flashbacks.

Instead, the play begins with Heidi leaving the mountain for Frankfurt, where she meets and begins to heal her crippled friend, Clara. When she returns to the mountain, her love heals her grandfather, a recluse crippled not in body but in spirit.

Director Heather deMichele seems most at ease with the children’s scenes, and, under her guidance, the young actors acquit themselves handsomely. Buskirk projects a boisterous enthusiasm and charming naivete as Heidi. It’s fun to see Buskirk’s energy ferret out the mirth in Dowling’s sweet but pale and pensive Clara. Kalomas’ likable Peter offers a mischievous but good-hearted foil for both girls.

*

Of the adults, only Anna Fitzwater’s wickedly funny turn as the grim Fraulein Rottenmeier, the epitome of all disapproving housekeepers, adds rather than detracts.

Dwight Richard Odle’s set, nicely lit by Kraig Aaronson, serves the show well, creating a realistic cabin for Grandfather and Heidi and sliding in sets of living-room furniture for Clara’s fine house. David Edwards’ sound design frames the show with dreamy charm.

Brigitte Harper’s costumes are downright distracting--at least when it comes to dressing the country folk. It doesn’t help Bruce Loud’s lackluster turn as Grandfather that he’s dressed more as a neatly tailored businessman (in cardigan, slacks and dress shoes) than as the hermit goatherd he is. Heidi and Peter don’t need shoes at all.

Harper’s designs improve with the fancily dressed city folk, but ultimately her work, like the show itself, is a hit-and-miss affair. Youth may well enjoy it for the sake of watching the young actors bring this classic to life. But “Heidi” herself deserves better.

* “Heidi,” Moulton Theater, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Ends Sunday. $10, adults; $7, children. (714) 497-9244. Running time: 1 hour, 48 minutes.

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Susan Shearer Stewart: Aunt Dete

Bruce Loud: Grandfather

Sara Buskirk: Heidi

Gabriel Kalomas: Peter

Dave Barton: Pastor/Dr. Kandidat

Anna Fitzwater: Fraulein Rottenmeier

David Owens: Sebastian

George Borden: Mr. Sesemann

Cheryl Dowling: Clara Sesemann

Jan Hernotin: Mrs. Sesemann

A Laguna Playhouse Youth Theater production of Thomas W. Olson’s play, adapted from Johanna Spyri’s novel. Directed by Heather deMichele. Costumes: Brigitte Harper. Sets: Dwight Richard Odle. Lights: Kraig Aaronson. Sound: David Edwards.