The Spell Is Broken in Magical Tale of ‘King Stag’

Carlo Gozzi’s 18th century comic tale “The King Stag,” at the Open Fist Theatre, has some wonderful elements in sound, costumes, masks, puppetry and movement, but is marred by imperfections that hinder our flight into the “Oriental Kingdom of Serendippo.”

Against Peter Hyde and Kis Knekt’s vast Chinese landscape painted on a sliding-door backdrop, the tale of a great magician, Durandarte (Chelsea Hackett), unfolds as told by his former servant, Cigolotti (Irene Tassiopulos).

Durandarte gives King Deramo (Martin Bedoian) a magical device to help him select a bride. But he knows this will have dire consequences unless he returns to save the king a few years later.

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When the king chooses Angela (Amy Watt) over his prime minister Tartaglia’s daughter, Clarice (Amy Edlin), Tartaglia (Adrian Sparks) plots to claim both the throne and the new queen. He tricks the king into taking the form of a stag.

Director Charlie Otte could tighten the pacing. Some timing problems need work, such as Durandarte and Tartaglia’s final transformations that are neither smooth nor quick.

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All of the actors wear delightful masks designed by Shelly Lee. Sparks, Watt and Bedoian turn in particularly strong performances. Lee and Aaron Harper’s puppet designs, particularly a parrot, are winning.

Yet there are glitches. The confidence of the dancers (Pam Heffler, Anne Mason, Jessica Mingo and Diana Suko) varies, particularly in their stylized walking, designed by Kitty McNamee.

Some of Christina Wright’s costumes suffered construction problems, as indicated by fluttery, uneven hems or pieces that refused to fall gracefully flat.

BE THERE

“The King Stag,” Open Fist Theatre, 1625 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Ends July 1. $15. (323) 882-6912. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes.