Sergio Goes photo for Honolulu Theatre for Youth
E.J. Manganag, left, plays Joshua, and Junior Tesoro is his
buddy Lyle in HTY's production of "Lyle the Crocodile."
Lyle is bathing when the Primm family discovers him in their new home on 88th St. Young Joshua (E.J. Manganag) and his father (Michael Pa'ekukui) are quickly won over. Mom (Cynthia See) takes a bit of convincing; when she discovers that the friendly reptile can cook and do housework she welcomes him too.
A bit of G-rated conflict soon clouds Lyle's prospects. The crocodile runs afoul of misanthropic Mr. Grumps (Charles Timtim) and Grumps' sassy cat (Ray Campainha). The cat doesn't like Lyle. Mr. Grumps doesn't like anybody.
Eventually the wealthy misanthrope frames Lyle for starting a riot during a department store sale. Lyle is condemned to serve a life term at the local zoo, but ends up a hero and wins over the hearts and minds of his former enemies.
The sugar-coated message? Crocodiles are people too. Judge people - and large carnivorous reptiles - for who they are as individuals even if they look different from you.
Director Peter C. Brosius aims the show at young children and brings it in right on target. The action is choreographed in the tradition of silent-film slapstick with plenty of pratfalls, double-takes, and frenetic running around. The acting is on the same level.
The kids in the audience on Saturday were drawn in from the first moments as Lyle's friend, Hector P. Valenti (Kyle Kakuno), climbed out of a large trunk and got his hand slammed in the lid.
Enthusiastic keiki also attempted to "help" by yelling out advice and warnings during the show. They responded with gusto every time Kakuno addressed them directly.
Kids who've never seen a real crocodile may be forgiven if they leave with the impression that a croc is a cross between a green fox, a large insect and a shag carpet. Tesoro's costume is bizarre, but he shows skill and agility in getting through the Vaudeville-style dance numbers and other choreographed mayhem without stepping on the green coattails, er, tail, of his costume.
Victoria Petrovich does a far more impressive job as set designer. The Big Apple is colorful and substantial. Moving vehicles, a tree, and a cat-trapping garbage can are additional embellishments.
Despite the solid entertainment value the show seemed to run a little long for some of the kids last weekend. Most of them seemed quite involved in the story but others babbled among themselves as it went on. Lyle's long night as mistreated prisoner in the zoo was a bit too scary for a couple of the younger children.
Overall, HTY's adaptation is fine entertainment for families with kids in the target age range. It offers much more than most G-rated film fare.
The next step for patents who introduce their children to Bernard Waber's reptilian hero this weekend is to find a couple of the books in the series and get the kids interested in reading about Lyle as well.
What: "Lyle the Crocodile," presented by Honolulu Theatre for youth