"Heidi" provides fun for audience; set design stands out

Scene on stage

Well, well, well. Once again, we see a delightful little girl transform the wretched life of a grumpy grampa drowning himself in hermithood and depression. Heidi can do that to most of us. She dances into our lives and changes us. Maybe we need that.

Other than a few opening night jitters, Valley Performing Arts' production of "Heidi" is fun for several reasons.

The kids, sincere and special, are doing their best to blossom into the world of thespian joy.

The several adults involved, each so unique and important to the storyline, add that wild-swinging inner commentary that makes us think of everything, from "Golly, you're fun" to "Good grief, you're a jerk!"

Then there is the goat. We loved the goat. The good goat behavior on stage can be solved if you watch closely. He's being bribed. (When you can, notice which way the goat most often walked on the mountain trail.)

And the set — superb. The depth and color of the mountains, at times complete with alpenglow, are so special one hates to see the lights dimmed. It is one of the nicest sets we've seen, done by Dave Putnam, as it draws us into the Swiss setting.

Cheers also to Genie Siedler for finding enough appropriate costumes to help transport us to the Swiss countryside.

This play is really a collage of vignettes, or diorama-like scenes, that can be as short as two minutes. As you watch Heidi (played by Kaela Rae Larson), check your happy meter and not how her face, voice and stage work give your mind-set a good boost. She plays a great Heidi, and one can only hope we see much more of Kaela Rae in future VPA productions.

Jane Girad, as Fraulein Rottenmeier, is simply grand. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was one of my own grandmothers!

Always proper in her own eyes, you'll need to do a face study of her. For every line she says, there are many more delivered by expression alone. Mercy, she's good. As is Grampa Franz, played by Barry Perkins. He brings real warmth as we watch him shift from a depressed silent hermit to a loving caregiver when Heidi comes into his life, unwanted.

As the show continues its run, I believe the flow and tempo, along with the singing, will improve. For many of us, it is not easy to sing on stage when we are all spread out and feeling so alone.

Think positive thoughts, because they are working hard to entertain you.

"Heidi" runs through April 8 at the Fred and Sara Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla. Tickets are available at all CARRS TIX locations.

Charles Reynolds is a Palmer resident who reviews Valley Performing Arts productions for the Frontiersman. His reviews can be found every Friday following the opening weekend of a production.