Making royal efforts

and too often for worse -- fairy tales are a staple of children’s theater. The storybook titles are a draw for adults who want to know what they’re bringing their kids to, and the shows themselves offer young children the familiarity of make-believe, a potent hook.

But clumsy fairy-tale shows contribute to the rap that children’s theater is second-rate.

Two local productions -- Culver City Public Theatre’s “Rumpelstiltskin,” performed outdoors at Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park, and the Limecat Family Theatre Company’s “The Princess and the Frog,” at ZJU Theatre Group in North Hollywood -- take a stab at dispelling that stereotype, with varying degrees of success.

Except for Doran George’s wildly demented, highly physical performance as Rumpelstiltskin -- reminiscent of some of Chris Kattan’s signature characters on “Saturday Night Live” -- the shoestring Culver City show comes across as just an earnest community effort and a pleasant sit under leafy trees.

George, a British visual artist and dancer who according to the program notes is an acting newcomer, eclipses most in the cast with his comic, focused energy. In small roles, Melody Gillette as a starchy royal matriarch, Eldridge Numen as Rumpelstiltskin’s offbeat Shadow and Gina E. Pooley in a balletic turn as a helpful bluebird define their characters with some clarity. But others in the cast barely register.

Adele Thane’s uneven adaptation of the Grimm Brothers’ tale cleverly reveals Rumpelstiltskin’s motivation for claiming the queen’s firstborn (he’s lonely and wants a playmate), but the rest of the setup and scene shifts are rushed and bland. Kyle Nudo directed and choreographed the show.

While Culver City Public Theatre has a wide-open park to perform in, the Limecat company’s slight but sunny new show, “The Princess and the Frog,” fares better in its tiny indoor space at ZJU, with adult-friendly chair seating and quilts and pillows on the floor for kids.

Jana Wimer’s painted design covers the walls, pipes and electrical outlets with a colorful storybook scene, providing the backdrop for a capable cast that includes Alison Cardoso as Queen Lureen; Caleb Land and Alastair Surprise as Prince Chris and his servant Bob, respectively; and Susie Cremin and Wimer as Princess Jennifer and her shy maid Cathy.

In Denise Devin’s playful adaptation, basketball-loving Prince Chris and Ping-Pong champion Bob break the “no strangers” rule in Queen Lureen’s kingdom. She zaps them into a frog and a mouse, and tells them that only a princess and her maid can break the spell with a kiss on the cheek.

They find a princess and maid, but how to persuade the unwilling pair to bestow the spell-breaking kiss?

Tightly directed by Devin and Zombie Joe, this show does well by its modestly comic dialogue and jaunty dance numbers.

Costume designer Jeri Batzdorff does well with limited resources, particularly with Land’s froggy garb.

*

Children’s shows

“Rumpelstiltskin”

Where: Culver City Public Theatre, Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park, Motor Avenue and Braddock Drive, Culver City

When: Noon Saturdays and Sundays. Ends Aug. 15.

Price: Free

Info: (310) 712-5482

“The Princess and the Frog”

Where: ZJU Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood

When: 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays. Ends Sept. 4.

Price: Adults, $8; 12 and younger, $6

Info: (818) 202-4120