Likable ‘Reluctant Dragon’ could use more energy

Some of us are so misunderstood.

That's the moral to Rainbow Company's "The Reluctant Dragon," a light-hearted adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's popular book.

The ancient British villagers of Guildemere are all frightened by this dragon (played by Gabriel Gentile) who lives in a nearby cave. They hire the gallant St. George (Randy Messaoudi) to slay him, because slaying dragons is what St. George does. The only trouble is, the giant animal would rather drink tea and recite poetry than fight. The young boy Glaston (Sean Harasti), who has befriended our hero, is desperate to convince everyone that the monster is one of the good guys.

Karen McKenney directs the 16-member cast with grace, and elicits an especially poignant performance from Harasti. It's fun to watch him deal with all the setbacks. And his affection for his animal friend feels genuine. Costumer Victoria Shaffer has given Messaoudi's St. George a Prince Valiant look (complete with shoulder-length hair) and Messaoudi has given him an authoritative Sir Lancelot vanity. When he bellows, you listen. And laugh.

Gentile is a chummy dragon, every child's favorite teddy. He doesn't seem to have a negative bone in his body. Shaffer has dolled him up in other-world accessories and colors that suggest play rather than danger. (He wears the sort of humorously ugly outfit that children would probably love to get their hands on.) Shaffer also makes him the outsider by using contrasts. The villagers are dressed in soothing earth tones, while the dragon's main color seems to be glitter.

Mary Hall Surface's adaptation sometimes flattens the material. And the production itself could use a heavier dose of energy. Also, too many actors tend to demonstrate their characters rather than inhabit them.

The show is not exhilarating, but it is likable. Watching St. George, the dragon and Glaston meet for the first time and try to adjust psychologically to the weird situation is a moment that's rife with layers of drama. The discomfort the trio communicates says a lot about how we all feel when life doesn't meet our expectations.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at DelValle@aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.