Santa’s saga splendidly staged

Tom Titus

It’s a safe bet that most kids never really wondered what Santa Claus

was like before he started making his annual gift-giving pilgrimages.

You know, how he grew up and what prompted his perennial Christmas

Eve missions, things like that.

Well, about 100 years ago, author L. Frank Baum explained it all

for them -- in his version, jolly old St. Nick was a human

foundling, raised by a colony of immortals who found his mission in

life when he saw how less-fortunate kids were being treated.

Baum’s story has been transformed into a glittering musical

fantasy for the Laguna Playhouse by Greg Atkins (book and lyrics) and

Diane King Vann (music and lyrics). It’s called “The Life and

Adventures of Santa Claus” and it’s an expansive, energetic holiday

treat for the entire family.

Presented by the playhouse’s Youth Theater, “Santa Claus” is given

a full-fledged, enthusiastic production by director Joe Lauderdale

with immense assistance from scenic designer Dwight Richard Odle and

costumer Shana Targosz. Their visual elements are outstanding and

enrich the action immeasurably.

Lest you imagine a show of this sort is all sugar and spice, be

aware that there are villainous creatures in the mix as well -- a

tribe of gnarly evildoers called the Agwa who are out to derail

Claus’ mission. If you’re bringing pre-schoolers to the show, sit at

far to the center as possible, as these creatures roam the aisles at

will.

Young audience members might find that such lines as “all in good

time” and “you have no power here” have a familiar ring. They should

recall that author Baum once wrote a little story about a wizard in

which this dialogue also was heard.

The infant Claus is, initially, rescued by a wood nymph called

Necile, portrayed by Lindsay Hirata -- who must play the title role

in “Miss Saigon” someday.

Her solo, “Child of Man,” is superbly rendered and earns sustained

applause.

After progressing through childhood (played by Chase Cunningham)

and his teen years (Jason Wieland), Claus emerges as an adult in the

person of Jay Skovec, who fully embodies the charitably legendary

character. Far from being a “fat, jolly old elf,” Skovec is a trim,

strapping actor with a bottomless heart who even breaks away from his

toy making long enough to find romance (with Crystal Cooper in an

engaging portrayal).

His education is sternly provided by Ak, the Master Woodsman and

leader of the immortals (Rick Franklin) and his crusty assistant

(Andy Hedden), enforcer of the master’s dictates. Both are strong,

colorful figures who add dimension to the story.

The chief of the evil Agwa is the menacing Yowah, played to the

hilt by Terry Christopher. Sharie Nitkin is adorably energetic as

Jack Frost, the winter sprite, while Cooper Smith and Sophia Tupy are

eminently watchable as Cooper’s younger siblings, to whom Claus gives

his first presents.

For the older children, there’s action aplenty in the showdown

scene between the immortals and the Agwa, enthusiastically

choreographed by Todd Loweth.

Donna Ruzika’s lighting and Dave Edwards’ original sound effects

further enhance the production.

The show features a huge cast of mostly children displaying

Targosz’s colorful costumes against the intricate backdrop of Odle’s

fluctuating scenery. Ellen Prince has skillfully choreographed the

production numbers.

“The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” is a particularly

ambitious project for any theater, much less a children’s producing

group. At the Laguna Playhouse, it’s a wondrous Christmas treat.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.