A Crowd-Pleasing ‘Bear’ Offers Reassurance for Young Fans

Anticipation is high. Pint-sized theatergoers wait wide-eyed in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, clutching parents and favorite toys. It’s opening night of the stage version of “Bear in the Big Blue House,” the crown jewel of the Disney Channel’s preschool programming, and this is clearly a fan crowd.

Ears perk up as a bubbly announcer’s voice is heard over the sound system, and ... oh, never mind, he’s talking about a sponsor’s product, a certain kind of yogurt designed with kids in mind.

A few minutes later, the real show begins.

It may be preceded by a clunky commercial note, but on Thursday night, the show that followed, “Bear in the Big Blue House Live! Surprise Party,” was a crowd-pleaser, a faithful copy of the popular Jim Henson Co. show, albeit with the addition of a quartet of high-kicking young dancers and extra decibels in the musical soundtrack.

In the simple plot, gentle Bear (a very tall Muppet body suit a la Big Bird and Barney) plans a surprise birthday party for his sweet pal, Tutter, the little blue mouse.

Other young friends who help out are purple otters Pip and Pop, shy bear cub Ojo and lemur Treelo, who represents the toddler in the group and needs Bear to help him understand why he can’t open Tutter’s presents.

In his role as the menagerie’s loving adult, Bear is the furry embodiment of reassurance, comfort and warmth.

Many feel-good songs about cooperation, sharing and friendship ensue, and the audience participates, shouting out denials when Tutter gets suspicious that something is going on.

A select few audience members are interviewed during the show, and their images, along with those of the characters onstage and prerecorded kids on tape, are projected on a giant video screen incorporated into the cozy house-in-the-woods set.

Jeff Murphy designed the familiar set; the show, presented by Vee Entertainment Corp., was written by Mitchell Kriegman and directed by Sylvia Hase.

“Bear,” touring Southland venues through November, follows in the footsteps of other children’s TV franchises that have taken it on the road: “Arthur,” “Franklin,” “Barney,” “The Magic School Bus” and “Sesame Street.” All of these bus-and-truck productions scrupulously re-create the look, the characters and the fundamental nature of the TV shows. They are also mostly prerecorded, full of loudly amplified songs and pop dance numbers and glittery with lights.

The recent tour of Nickelodeon’s “Blue’s Clues” was a notable exception, going beyond its TV roots to create a standout original children’s play.

“Bear,” however, makes the most of its pleasant, child-appropriate formula, as fans’ bright eyes and smiles attest.

*

“Bear in the Big Blue House Live! Surprise Party”: Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, today, 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 and 4:30 p.m. (626) 449-7360, (213) 480-3232. Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.; Oct. 12, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Oct. 14, 1 and 4:30 p.m. (714) 556-2787, Ext. 6677, (714) 740-7878. Terrace Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.; Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Oct. 27, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Oct. 28, 1 and 4:30 p.m. (562) 436-3661, (213) 480-3232. Kodak Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, Hollywood, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.; Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Nov. 17, 2 and 5:30 p.m.; Nov. 18, 1 and 4:30 p.m. (213) 480-3232. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.; Nov. 23, 2 and 7 p.m.; Nov. 24, 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m.; Nov. 25, 1 and 4:30 p.m. (Dark Nov. 22.) (805) 449-2787, (805) 583-8700. All shows, tickets are $16-$27.