“Fondue, fondue, there’s a rat heaven waiting for me and for you,” was one of the refrains that stayed with this theatergoer after seeing a clever, funny and entertaining production of “The Pied Piper of Hamlin” at Palisades Elementary last Tuesday. The Geffen Traveling Theater Troupe’s Parson’s Nose Productions performed to a delighted group of third, fourth and fifth graders. In the original “Pied Piper” story, based on a 13th-century tale, the Hamlin community is overrun with rats. A person is hired to rid the town of its vermin. When the town refuses to pay the fee, the Pied Piper lures the children away by piping’the same method that he’s used on the rats. The story is thoroughly updated, complete with puppets, show tunes and audience interaction. The narrator, a rat in a trench coat, sets the scene by telling the audience that the town is deserted, but that it wasn’t always; a long time ago, things were much different. The music begins and the happy townspeople come out singing the opening number. Two couples are introduced: the Butzes and the Klutzes, who pride themselves on their cheese. As a matter of fact, both couples are so intent on their business and the money they’ve earned, which allows them to buy all the possessions they want, they’re not even sure of their own children’s names. The Klutzes and Butzes decide that the way to keep their empires growing is to build a cheese emporium on the ground where their children play. The children argue, but the parents dismiss them because, after all, “You children don’t need a place to play,” and “We’ve given you all the toys and nannies a child could want.” The children find a woman piper who will rid the town of the rats for money and a promise that both parents will spend more time with their children. The Klutzes and Butzes agree and the version ends in much the same fashion as the original story. One of the funniest scenes in the play evolves after the song “They think their cheese don’t stink.” The couples start fighting, throwing cheese foam pieces, and it escalates to a fight with pool noodles, kickboards and Viking helmets. This Geffen production was total enjoyment, and the message that children are the future was crystal clear. Having sat through too many children’s shows to count, I was pleased to find children’s live entertainment that was thoughtful, fun and well-performed’not a thinly disguised message. Lance Davis, who was also one of the performers, wrote the lyrics and music, and adapted the original script. The show’s director Michael Faulker arranged and recorded the music. All of the cast had excellent singing voices and the individual performances were well done. After the school performance, the children were allowed the ask the actors questions. One child wanted to know why the mayor wore a cheese hat and where he got it. The actor explained he was “the big cheese” and that the costume designer ordered the hat from Wisconsin. One child asked why they fought with pool noodles. The actor answered that the difference between theater and film is that in theater they use metaphors: they take one thing and use it for something else. In this case the noodles were a metaphor for weapons. In addition to touring schools, the Geffen Theater has Saturday plays for children called the Saturday Scene. All of the shows are child-friendly in length, lasting about an hour. If “The Pied Piper” is any indication of the quality of Parson’s Nose Productions’ shows, they are certainly a must for parents who want their children to experience live theater. “The Pied Piper” runs November 5 and 12 in Pasadena, and December 3,10 and 17 at the Geffen. A modestly priced subscription series is available and individual tickets can be purchased as well. Visit www.Geffenplayhouse.com to see the 18 family shows playing this year. For tickets for Pasadena performances call (626) 356-7529. For the Geffen Theater call 208-5454. For subscription information call 208-6500, ext.156.
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