A Sparkling ‘Arthur’ Sweeps Away Fans

“Make sure you tell the children to be prepared for lots of music--and lights.” This thoughtful nutshell review of the stage extravaganza for kids, “Arthur--A Live Adventure,” came from a satisfied “Arthur” expert, age 7, during our rainy freeway drive home Tuesday night from the Orange County Performing Arts Center, where the touring show opened.

Based on the animated hit PBS series starring Marc Brown’s creations--an aardvark kid named Arthur and his family and pals--the show’s a zippy, feel-good 90 minutes that can wear just a tad long in spots for adults. It scores big with “Arthur” fans, however, who are plainly thrilled to see the familiar characters (performers in colorfully costumed body suits wearing large molded heads).

Audience participation is a hit too--clapping, giving unison responses to characters’ questions, and shouting coached phrases to help the plot along.

And, as my young friend observed, lights are aplenty--flashing, sparkling, beaming, sweeping the audience periodically and framing the stage--and the musical numbers are just about nonstop. Song and dance spots range from a pop rock “Breakfast Surprise” in honor of an oatmeal-broccoli combo cooked up by Arthur’s dad, to Binky the Bulldog’s country-style solo confessional about only being tough on the outside--he’s really a secret book-lover.

A jaunty number with particular adult appeal, “One Hundred Years of North American Music,” features the cast dancing up a storm to a sampler as varied as Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” and the disco anthem “YMCA.” The dancers are remarkably nimble in their big-footed, big-headed bodysuits (score and dialogue are prerecorded in this SFX Family Entertainment show; Anita Mann directed and choreographed).

The plot: Arthur thinks his “lucky” pencil is responsible for all his successes. When he loses the pencil, he loses his confidence just as third-grade teacher Mr. Ratburn announces a big test. Oh, no. How can Arthur pass without his pencil?

With his own “intelligence and honesty” to see him through, as Mr. Ratburn puts it, Arthur eventually realizes that he doesn’t need a lucky pencil to succeed. Other positive messages in this bubbly show: Practice makes perfect, reading is the greatest, and you can be what you want to be.

Something that my young friend didn’t note, by the way: Parents should be prepared for the irresistible allure of $10 pencil-shaped flashlights at the concession stand. Expect to see a forest of the glowing tokens following intermission.

*

* “Arthur--A Live Adventure,” Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, today, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m., 2 and 6 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. $13.50-$29.50. (714) 556-2121. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, Wednesday through next Friday, 7 p.m.; March 10, 10:30 a.m., 2 and 6 p.m.; March 11, 1 and 4:30 p.m. Ends March 11. $12.75-$28.50. (626) 449-7360. Both venues: (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000, (805) 583-8700, (619) 220-TIXS. Running time: 90 minutes.