‘Misfits’ Show Kids the Way

Feeling like an outsider, ostracized for being different, unable to meet the expectations of others: Young people despair over these and other negatives in their lives, but most survive them. Yet growing numbers of teenagers and children don’t. They see suicide as the only escape from misunderstanding, insecurity and hostility.

That tragic reality is at the heart of a vividly presented, gently humorous and thought-provoking production of “A Village Fable: In the Suicide Mountains,” a production of the Mark Taper Forum’s youth theater, P.L.A.Y. (Performing for Los Angeles Youth).

Adapted by playwright James Still from the book by late novelist John Gardner, the play, aimed at ages 8 and up, is touring schools but is also being offered free to the general public in a series of performances that began last weekend at the 24th Street Theatre and will continue at other venues through April 24.

Staged by established theater professionals and performed by an experienced adult cast, this sure-footed production, directed by L. Kenneth Richardson, is the story of three “misfits” who don’t conform to the expectations of others.

Chudu, the goat-man (Michael John Anderson), is a dwarf (as is Anderson), his appearance making him the feared scapegoat of all that goes wrong in his village.

Armida (Kimiko Gelman), a village blacksmith, is a barefooted free spirit who can grab the stars and taste the moon until she’s brought to earth by a stepmother and a society that expect her to be “normal” and wear shoes and pretty dresses and never express an original thought.

Prince Christopher (Maulik Pancholy) is the only son of a warrior king (an impressive Richard Allen) who tries to groom him to follow in his footsteps and battle the dreaded Six-Fingered Man (Allen again), a monster who has brought drought to the village kingdom.

The king shames the gentle prince for being a gifted musician who would rather play the violin than fight.

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The three are strangers when they meet as they climb to a mountain, each planning to jump from the summit to escape their pain. The Six-Fingered Man, hungry for a meal, taunts them, but in so doing, he helps them understand not only suicide’s finality but also the strength of their own individuality. Embracing their uniqueness, the three unite to defeat him.

All of this could be just a do-gooder’s preachy tract, but there’s no sense of that here, and Still’s rhythmic, expressive language doesn’t insult the audience’s intelligence.

Richardson and choreographer Julie Arenal deftly shape the piece with dynamic movement, and Michael Keck’s evocative music adds depth. The only place the play dips briefly is with Gelman’s unmusical and unconvincing “I’m going crazy” rant, and Allen’s exit as the defeated monster was somewhat anticlimactic at the opening performance.

The deceptively simple design is terrific. With the play set in no particular time, place or culture, costume designer Joyce Kim Lee contributes to its mythical exoticism with lavish suggestions of African royalty, Middle Eastern peasantry and ancient Indian spirituality. Zar Acayan, as the mysterious Storyteller, sets the tone in multilayered, sumptuous draperies and a regal feathered headdress.

Victoria Petrovich’s set pieces are spare though visually interesting, and Jose Lopez’s sterling lighting design--expressive shadows and subtle light--is vital to maintaining the play’s magical mood.

The production delivers with care its message of understanding and encouragement for young people to believe in change and in themselves. It’s one of the company’s best shows of late and a strong indicator that, despite recent disappointments, the group deserves a spot among the nation’s leading youth theaters.

BE THERE

“A Village Fable: In the Suicide Mountains,” Cal State Northridge, Saturday, 11 a.m.; R.L. Stevenson Junior High, 725 S. Indiana St., March 20, 11 a.m.; International Elementary School, 700 Locust Ave., Long Beach, March 27, 1 p.m.; Heart of Los Angeles Youth, 3300 Wilshire Blvd., April 7, 7 p.m.; Pasadena venue to be announced, April 10; Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City, April 24, 11 a.m. (213) 972-7587.. Ends April 24. Free.