Gentle, Simple ‘Bambi’ Is as Fresh as Forest Dew

LAGUNA BEACH — Forget the gooey, cutesy kitsch of Disney’s film version of Felix Salten’s “Bambi.” The original book, with its intent intact, shines brightly through Jim DeVita’s evocative stage adaptation at the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre.

This is a coming-of-age story in the grand tradition, the way writers used to prepare youngsters for the potholes of growing up. Director Joe Lauderdale knows this, and he keeps everything as simple as it should be and clear as a forest dawn.

What sets this production apart is Lauderdale’s gentle way with the action, and the visual integrity of his artistic eye.

As lighting designer Jay Proskovec’s forest-rich light slowly comes up at the beginning, the framework masks of the characters, deer, birds, etc.--like the framework heads used for the horses in “Equus”--are scattered about the forest floor of scenic designer Jacquie Moffett’s simple but very effective setting.

The actors--like ballet dancers dressed solely in leotards in Dwight Richard Odle’s perfect costume design--slowly wander on stage to sit before the appropriate masks. Then, with one motion, they lift the masks and place them on their heads, and from that moment on, there is no doubt that they really are who they are pretending to be.

Each actor moves impeccably like his woodland prototype, from prancing steps to subtle movements of the head, each gesture and nod part and parcel of the characterization. It is a magical world Lauderdale has created on the stage, riveting and involving. You don’t have to be a child to be spellbound by this “Bambi.”

Brad Bredeweg is wonderful as Bambi, both as a youngster and as the burgeoning stag he becomes; the actor’s ease with the physical language of the style is as much a part of his characterization as the dialogue. As Bambi’s mother, Laura Wells beautifully captures the love and protective drive of animal instinct, along with the firmness of lesson-learning that humans have left far behind in their evolution.

Everyone in the company is good, but there are some standouts. Danielle Neel is charming as Bambi’s cousin Faline, who becomes his mate as they grow; her teasing flirtations are real and right. And Justin Morgan as her brother Gobo captures the naivete of an animal tricked into tragic complacency by the temporary friendship of the dreaded hunter.

Nathan Blouin’s streetwise brashness as tough fawn Ronno is exceptional in Blouin’s control and suggestion. As friendly blue jays who counsel the young Bambi, Vanessa Moore and Kyle Pierce are a delight; Pierce also is a fine mirror-image Bambi as the young fawn whom the adult Bambi advises at the final curtain. Kylee Rousselot charms as the giddy, buoyant Screech Owl, and Dwight Armstrong’s Friend Hare shows how much amusement was lost when his character was turned into Thumper in the film.

* “Bambi,” the Moulton Theater, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Thursday and Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends Sunday. $11 adults; $8 children. (714) 497-2787. Running time: 1 hours, 35 minutes.

Brad Bredeweg: Bambi

Laura Wells: Mother

Danielle Neel: Faline

Justin Morgan: Gobo

Nathan Blouin: Ronno

Dwight Armstrong: Friend Hare

Vanessa Moore: Jay 1

Kyle Pierce: Jay 2/Fawn

Kylee Rousselot: Screech Owl

A Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre production of Jim DeVita’s stage adaptation of Felix Salten’s book. Directed by Joe Lauderdale. Scenic design: Jacquie Moffett. Costume design: Dwight Richard Odle. Lighting design: Jay Proskovec. Sound design: David Edwards. Stage manager: Marc Ravenhill.