Tricks Are for Kids

Christopher Villa’s “The Brave Little Tailor,” at Saddleback Children’s Festival, is a cute adaptation of the classic children’s tale. It has some humor, a few bits worthy of James Thurber, but not enough to raise it above a show aimed at the 6-year-old.

In this version, the Tailor (Mike Tryon) is sort of a loser, a perfect foil for traveling Gypsies, who enviously eye his wares. In order to distract him, they announce that he will star in their production of--you guessed it--”The Brave Little Tailor.”

Tryon is particularly effective as the doltish Tailor who thrives on the tale of the idiot who killed “seven at one blow” and made a career out of it.

His reputation clears the Black Forest of dangerous Giants, brings about the taming of the Wild Boar, and all those things reputations are supposed to do. It even brings him the hand in marriage of Princess Chloe (Tiffany Steiner), a spoiled brat who runs the kingdom in spite of the presence of her father, the King.

An old theater dictum says that most playwrights shouldn’t direct their own plays. Villa directs his with efficiency but doesn’t get his company much above the appearance of just reading their lines.

Those who do put some real flesh on their characters are Tryon, whose sense of humor helps; Courtney Moon, who plays the Bluebird of Happiness, the tailor’s best friend and guide; Tom Scabareti, as the Gypsy ringmaster and others; Erin Scabareti, as the pompous cream-puff of a General; and Colin Fitzpatrick, a real trouper whose obvious enjoyment in playing all his silly characters shines through and brings them to life.

* “The Brave Little Tailor,” Saddleback Children’s Festival, Mission Viejo Mall, Mission Viejo. 5 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday. $6. Ends Oct. 12. (714) 364-2787. Running time: 50 minutes.

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“The Brave Little Tailor,”

Mike Tryon: The Brave Little Tailor

Tom Scabareti: Ringmaster

Courtney Moon: Bluebird of Happiness

Tiffany Steiner: Princess Chloe

Erin Scabareti: General

Colin Fitzpatrick: Wild Boar/Night Watchman/Messenger/Gypsy

An Angels of Saddleback College production of Christopher Villa’s children’s play. Directed by Christopher Villa. Scenic design: Wally Huntoon. Lighting design: Kevin Cook. Costume design: Diane Lewis. Stage manager: Lori Kristyna Barnhill.