Tricks Are for Kids

The only thing that really categorizes “Dinosaurus,” at Santa Ana College, as a kids’ show is the anthropomorphism of the great beasts. They’re literate, wise and sometimes, to their shame, cuddly.

Once past that bit of writing down to the kids, it’s an exciting production that appeals to adults as well as the tikes they have in tow. Done in shadow play, it is a technical accomplishment. The actors, all in costume even though they appear only as shadows, are choreographed by director Robert G. Leigh in the attitudes and movement of the dinosaurs, as we might imagine they were.

The story is simple: Two employees of Mobil Oil, searching for oil deposits, dynamite a hillside and find a dark, chilly cavern. Curiosity spurs them on, and almost immediately they discover an immense footprint. One, Peek (Noelle Afualo), sees media magic in finding live dinosaurs. The other, Bunk (Jeremy Schaeg), just wants out.

Meanwhile, the dinosaurs are watching them. They call the interlopers “No-Necks” and are amused with their stumbling and confusion. But the dinosaurs realize this could mean their demise. So they play dead.

*

One dinosaur rises from the dead after the No-Necks have left, assuring his mates that the danger is over. But is it? The playwrights’ message, that man can be an unwitting agent of destruction, is clear to the very young.

Older audience members will appreciate the humor woven throughout the dialogue, and the delicate characterizations. The only visible actor is Ralph Richmond as the narrator. He tells most of the story from a stool and does so with charm, and his own barely covered chuckles at each development. Afualo and Schaeg are funny as the Mobil Oil drones, albeit simplistic, with great fun and elan.

The ensemble, whose technical precision behind the scrim is impeccable, are: Julie Ray, Michael Ambrosio, Eyca Leevan, Aristotle V. Ibasco, and Carter Saacke. They develop characterizations, even when the playwrights give them little to work with, and their movements are like visual music.

* “Dinosaurus,” Phillips Hall Theatre, Santa Ana College, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana. Tonight and Friday, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Ends Friday. $4-$6.(714) 564-5661. Running time: 45 minutes.

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“Dinosaurus,”

Ralph Richmond: Narrator

Noelle Afualo: Peek/Tall

Jeremy Schaeg: Bunk/Big

Julie Ray: Baby/Tall/Crested Hadrosaur

Michael Ambrosio: Kingking/Big/Zoozoo

Eryca Leevan: Turtle/Meatmouth

Aristotle V. Ibasco: Point/Spike/Crested Hadrosaur

Carter Saacke: Hark

A Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College Theatre Arts Department production of Edward Mast and Lenore Bensinger’s play. Directed by Robert G. Leigh. Original music composed and performed by Rebecca Lynn and Theodore Atteberry. Scenic design: Valinda Tivenan. Sound/lighting design consultants: Ken Welle, Sean Patrick Small. Stage manager: Jeremy Gonzalez.