Only a Princess Could Sleep Through the Laughs, Songs

The version of “Sleeping Beauty” being staged at Broadway on Tour is different from the familiar fairy tale. The story’s the same, but that’s about it.

This production is a musical, with a book and lyrics by Barbara Fried and music by Norman Sachs, all of which is kid-friendly and very listenable. It sets the action in the 1930s and serves it with a good dollop of camp, with both good and bad fairy godmothers for Princess Beauty and a fairy godfather for the prince. And there are plenty of kid-level jokes, such as when the king first meets the prince and says, “Very nice to meet you. Pull my finger.”

Beyond that, the charm of this production with its young cast comes from the inventive and frequently funny direction of Alan Palmer, who also is vocal director, choreographer and set designer. He approaches the production with an impish sense of humor, evident in touches throughout its short running time.

Harley Frenzel and Lindsay Martin are ladies-in-waiting but look like chorus girls out of a Busby Berkeley extravaganza. Erin Smith is the good fairy godmother, padded outrageously, a pint-sized Mae West. Jeff Dodge as the king reminds one of character actor Jack Oakie, puffing intently on a pipe that produces bubbles instead of smoke. Smith and Dodge are funny without trying too hard.

*

Julie Holden is a cute, feisty page, Brittany Atkins a chic, fur-wrapped queen. The young lovers, Dennis Tong as the prince and Wendy Holden as Princess Beauty, are nerds with dark-framed glasses, bumbling through life. Their opaque approach finally leads young audience members to inform the prince that he has to kiss the princess if he wants her to wake up.

As Prince’s Fairy Godfather, Joshua Perkins has a stereotypical Brooklyn dialect, about as close to reality as a Damon Runyon character. He holds the stage in every scene he’s in with his streetwise delivery. But the real scene-stealer in this staging is Lisa Stier’s Bad Fairy Godmother, with spiked hair, a belligerent gait and a dead-on sendup of comic Judy Tenuta, sleazy looks, raspy voice and all.

* “Sleeping Beauty,” Broadway on Tour, 2190 N. Canal St., Orange. Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends March 2. $6. (714) 282-8148. Running time: 50 minutes.

Harley Frenzel, Lindsay Martin: Ladies-in-Waiting

Julie Holden: Page

Erin Smith: Good Fairy Godmother

Lisa Stier: Bad Fairy Godmother

Brittany Atkins: Queen

Jeff Dodge: King

Dennis Tong: Prince

Joshua Perkins: Fairy Godfather

Wendy Holden: Princess Beauty

A Broadway on Tour production of Norman Sachs & Barbara Fried’s musical adaptation. Produced by Leslie Stir & Laurie Holden. Direction/scenic design/vocal direction/choreography: Alan Palmer. Costumes: Shirley Martin. Lighting design: Mitch Atkins.