Appealing Wolf Gets His Day in Court

For most literary characters, a “fairy-tale ending” means they live happily ever after. Unless, of course, you’re a wolf. For them, the phrase “fairy-tale ending” ranks up there with “Any last requests?”

Adriane Coros and her husband, Ruan Yankovich, decided to give the beleaguered creature a break in their fairy tale-based musical “Wolftales,” which premiered in 1988 and is back in an updated version being staged this weekend at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Instead of winding up as shish kebab for a passing woodsman, this wolf not only survives the closing curtain but also helps teach youngsters about the value of forgiveness and reconciliation. He’s aided by a slew of characters ranging from Little Red Riding Hood to Alice in Wonderland and a melange of original tunes inspired by everything from Broadway to be-bop.

“We thought it was more important to teach kids about compromise and reconciliation rather than retribution,” Coros explained by phone from the La Mirada office of the Golden State Children’s Theatre, the company she formed in the wake of the original production’s success.

“And because we’re playing for kids as young as 5, we don’t like to stress violence. For example, in our show, Granny never gets eaten by the wolf because she’s out playing bridge when he comes by.”

Coros says the star of their show is a burly, foul-tempered wolf in bikers’ clothing who is nonetheless so charming that even adults pester him for autographs after performances. He’s also a “hep, cool, happenin’ kind of guy,” played in the current staging by actor and rock singer Steve Watson.

As an actor and director herself, Coros said the thing that really drew her to the wolf as the pivotal figure for a kids’ show was his potential for change.

“You see this guy in a number of tales, but his real character was never really dealt with,” noted Coros, whose troupe now produces a three-show youth season at La Mirada (they close in May with a new “Cinderella”) as well as several school tours and an acting workshop for youth through the city’s parks and recreation department. “Why was he such a bad guy? Obviously, he’s a character that’s ready to undergo change, to realize something through the process of the story.”

As one who is “really more misguided than mean,” this wolf also is frankly befuddled by his young son, Irving (Diane Feldman), who would rather chase butterflies and cozy up to the forest animals that devour them. To teach the boy a thing or two, Dad has son tag along to take notes as he wreaks havoc on the fairy-tale forest.

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Problem is, his victims aren’t cooperating. The story centers on what happens when the forest residents finally get tired of the wolf’s antics and put the big beast on trial for his sins. It is narrated by Granny (Leslie Holland), the now-aged Little Red Riding Hood, for the benefit of her granddaughter, who is chafing at her mother’s rules about being wary of strangers.

From the look of things, it’s not going to be a fair trial. The judge, jury and prosecuting attorney have all been hassled by the wolf. The witnesses for the prosecution have their doubts about him too (Alice thinks he pushed her down the rabbit hole, and Cinderella is sure he swiped her glass slipper).

Just when it looks like the wolf’s goose is cooked, Irving steps in.

“There’s a great Broadway number in the end in which Irving comes to his dad’s defense,” said Coros. “The Big Bad Wolf is really moved by that, [and] it shows kids that a parent can learn something very important from a child too.”

* What: Golden State Children’s Theatre’s “Wolftales.”

* When: Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

* Where: La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd.

* Whereabouts: From the Riverside (91) Freeway or the Santa Ana (5) Freeway, exit at Beach Boulevard and drive north. Turn left on La Mirada Boulevard.

* Wherewithal: $7. Parking is free.

* Where to call: (714) 994-6310 or (310) 944-9801.