Living Among Angels

Though he introduces himself as “King of the Road,” childlike Nathan Spandrel’s kingdom is not of this earth--here, he wanders in a confused search for meaning amid the less regal lot of the homeless. Fueling hilarity and heartbreak in the Road Theatre Company’s West Coast premiere of “The Angels of Lemnos,” Nathan’s story proves an emotional powerhouse.

Chicago playwright Jim Henry’s deceptively simple tale traces Nathan’s fall from grace and ultimate redemption, weaving in surreal encounters with angels and demons from his past. Mildly retarded since birth, Nathan is a true innocent, and actor Todd Buteaux brings a perfect mix of endearing honesty and hilarious weirdness to Nathan’s efforts to become “master of his own density.”

In flashbacks, we see Nathan’s stoic single mom (Liz Herron) try to shelter him for as long as she is able. But she can’t protect him from a sexually abusive fourth-grade teacher, nor from the dawning recognition, as he’s bounced from one “special needs” program to another, that he just doesn’t “cut the mustard.”

Despite superficial parallels with “Forrest Gump” and even “Wings of Desire,” Henry’s play remains strikingly original. Nathan is certainly sympathetic, but unlike Gump he’s not embraced by society--his eventual exile is the far more realistic fate of some mentally disabled.

Broadening the moral tableau is the cautionary figure of Girtie (Joe Hart), Nathan’s fellow vagrant and devoted friend, whose personal tragedy shows how the homeless are made, not born. Girtie and Nathan’s desperate efforts to uphold basic decency unfolds against a scenic amalgam of skid row environs (production values are excellent).

Nevertheless, the play shimmers with surprising humor and compassion even in the grimmest shadows. Thanks to Henry’s poetic scripting and Ken Sawyer’s inventive staging, everyday events explode with boisterous vitality. Ensemble members not only assume multiple roles but gamely serve as amusing props when needed. A self-contained masterpiece is the adolescent Nathan’s first date with fellow outcast Marcy (Wendy Axelrod)--his anticipation sparks a rousing musical number, and their eventual sexual awakening is rendered with affecting delicacy.

Henry carefully avoids the platitude of pinning the homeless problem on society’s indifference--episodes of charity and goodwill abound. Paul Witten and Kelly Warren supply well-meaning supporting characters. Casting versatile Terry J. Evans as the despicable child molester, a compassionate doctor and a tough but honorable cop symbolizes our capacity for both good and evil. All of which makes the play’s ultimate hard truth even more disturbing--that some innocents will slip through the cracks despite our best intentions.

BE THERE

“The Angels of Lemnos,” Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Nov. 14. $15. (818) 759-3382. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.