‘Family Miser’ Schemes to Entertain

Parson’s Nose Productions, which launched last fall at the Interact Theatre in North Hollywood with a highly entertaining, thoroughly professional, hourlong version of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” has more mixed success with its second “Family Classics” show: Moliere’s comedy “The Miser.”

Artistic director Lance Davis, who plays the title role and wrote the 70-minute adaptation, serves up many wickedly funny moments, but he doesn’t seem to have trusted his company--or the 17th century master of comedy--to entertain children without adding clunky, juvenile “poop” jokes, including the identification of one key character as “The Laxative King.”

The caliber of the cast--including Davis’ marvelous physical performance--and the spirit of the production emphatically don’t need cheap laughs. Smoothly directed by Ivan Brogger, this tale of a rich man whose outrageous parsimony causes his grown children and servants to scheme against him lends itself well to family entertainment.

When his own adaptation doesn’t get in the way, Davis, a longtime stage pro with a raft of national theater credits, is a memorable Harpagon, a miser who guards his money so jealously that he assumes everyone, even his children, is out to waste it or steal it.

Davis, concavely thin in ratty bathrobe and slippers, wearing a wig of long gray locks, scuttles about, his head jutting turtle-like from his hunched shoulders. Striking self-congratulatory and sly poses, tossing asides to the audience or keeping a beady eye out for the safety of his money box, he’s a hoot.

Harpagon is so stingy that son Cleante (Josh Adell) must gamble whatever money he can come by in order to properly clothe his sister, Elise, and himself.

Harpagon, meanwhile, has matrimonial plans for both children. Elise (Anne Von Herrman, in wilted prom dress and tennis shoes) is to marry rich old Anselme (Michael Manuel, who also plays the servant La Fletch, gets big laughs as an elderly, Don Corleone-type mogul).

Elise, however, is in love with poor and mysteriously orphaned Valere, who has disguised himself as Harpagon’s servant in order to be near her.

Cleante’s hopes of marrying the beautiful, not-so-rich Mariane (Julie Gustafson) seem doomed when Harpagon declares that he plans to marry her himself. (Gustafson deftly gives Mariane a self-mocking, exaggerated goodness.)

A wily servant named Jacques (Richard Levine) and Frosine, the hapless matchmaker (Mary Chalon), are the final ingredients in this zany comedy of schemes, counter-schemes and comeuppance. With some judicious changes to the script, this abbreviated “Miser” would be an unadulterated family treat.

* “A Family Miser,” Interact Theatre, 5215 Bakman Ave., North Hollywood, Saturdays at 11 a.m. through June 30. $10. (818) 773-7862; (626) 403-7667. Running time: 1 hour, 10 minutes.

For Young Music Lovers: Dan Crow and Robbo (Robb Zelonky), two top-notch children’s music-makers, can be seen in concert Sunday.

Dan Crow’s recordings are fun, but catching the engaging artist in person is even better. It’s hard not to smile, and learn something too, when this singer, songwriter, guitarist, storyteller and language educator performs.

Sunny, wacky lyrics--”Dogs do dig, but dogs don’t dance; I wonder why dogs don’t wear pants?”--are Crow’s trademark, and, as often as not, his inventive songs and shaggy-dog stories--about such things as bubbles, kissing cows, a peace-loving yam, a fish rodeo and bubble gum--play with palindromes, vowel and consonant sounds, and homonyms.

On Sunday, he’ll be performing at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica as part of its children’s concerts series.

Music educator and recording artist Robbo’s warmth and empathy infuse his original work, which has grown lyrically and musically in recent years to rank with the best. Using humor and a generous helping of heart in his whimsical, soulful songs, he gives voice to a young child’s world in comforting tunes about bullies, being afraid of the dark, a visit to the doctor (“The Shot Blues”) and a broken arm (“Owie, Zowie, Kablowie”). His signature song is a comical superhero anthem called “Blanket Kid!”

Robbo will appear at the Jewish Community Center of Orange County on Sunday.

*

* “Dan Crow in Concert,” McCabe’s Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Blvd.., Santa Monica, Sunday at 11 a.m. $5-$10. (310) 828-4497; (310) 828-4403.

*

* “Robbo in Concert,” Jewish Community Center of Orange County, 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa, Sunday at 11 a.m. $8 to $12. (714) 755-0340.