‘Riding Hood’ as a Musical

Before a performance of the Burbage Theatre’s new musical for children, “Red Riding Hood Revisited,” anticipation ran high. “This is cool!” said one 5-year-old of the small-scale forest set. “I can see the movie from here,” a toddler assured his mother as he eagerly struggled into a seat.

Their unflagging high spirits proved that they weren’t disappointed, although what they saw was typical preschooler theater fare--a flawed, lightweight “message” show with heavyweight audience participation.

Written, directed and composed by Carol Woodbury (she also provides the piano accompaniment), this version of the fairy-tale classic is about tolerating differences.

Red Riding Hood (petite, piquant Breney Armas) likes the domestic arts. She disapproves of Grandma (Sarah Smiley in a jogging suit), who prefers saving the whales and aiding the homeless to staying home and baking cookies.

Meanwhile, Young Wolf (Jeff Bickel) is a disappointment to Old Wolf (Ray Williams) because instead of practicing to be a fierce wolf, he wants to learn to read.

Many of Woodbury’s lyrics are stilted: “If I don’t agree with the other guy, I can’t go up and poke him in the eye” and “getting involved is the name of the game,” while some dialogue evokes winces, as when Grandma says to Red, “If you want to spend your life cleaning, cooking and sewing, that’s your right.”

The adult cast was game on Saturday but clearly uncomfortable. Lines were bobbled and a show-must-go-on desperation was evident when a child briefly joined the action on stage and others loudly contradicted the dialogue.

Woodbury has wisely offered the audience plenty of opportunity for in-seat involvement, however. Throughout, they can join in choruses, bake imaginary cookies, pretend to be bees, birds, cats and dogs and shout instructions to actors.

That fun is the play’s strong suit, as long as the cast (and parents) keep it under control.

At 2330 Sawtelle Ave., West Los Angeles, Fridays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Through Aug. 26. Tickets: $5; (818) 366-4435.