STAGE REVIEW : A Bright ‘Woods’ Despite the Glitches

This national company, beginning its tour at Fullerton’s Plummer Auditorium, has a pretty easy time getting “Into the Woods,” but doesn’t have much more luck than any other company getting out of the woods.

The second act, with its confused, contrived darkness and pat sermonizing, is still a swampland filled with theatrical quicksand.

Obviously a bus-and-truck production that has been trimmed down to size for one-night stands and smaller venues, this version of the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine musical adaptation of Brothers Grimm stories is a game and cheerful endeavor.

That’s in spite of scenery glitches and a dreadful sound system. Some bright and inventive performances blossom under Victoria Bussert’s direction, but even her energetic staging sometimes gets lost in a muddle of technical problems.

Bussert’s guidance generally keeps the large company as bubbly as a glass of champagne. Even Kelly Ellenwood’s Witch is given new shading with her underplaying. Otherwise the production is totally in the hands of Tina Gluschenko’s delightful Cinderella, Jane Blass’ campy Baker’s Wife, Gina Valentine’s saucy Red Riding Hood and Sara Minton’s witty turn as Jack’s Mother. They’re super.

Close by are Rob Dorn’s puppy dog of a Jack with his bravura “Giants in the Sky,” and Scott Calcagno’s strong vocal turns as the Baker, particularly in “No More.” The two Princes (Steve Wallem and Scott Mikita) look like road company princes, which makes their ardor even funnier, and gives their “Agony” extra wit. It’s an energized company that will have to overcome the technical feet that are dragging.

This production has eliminated the ludicrous cutout head of the slain giant falling to Earth. It saves that moment but doesn’t keep the second act from following suit.

Tonight, 8 p.m.: Plummer Auditorium, Fullerton; Sun., 2 and 7:30 p.m.: Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine campus, Malibu, (213) 456-4000; Thursday, 8 p.m.: Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, (213) 532-3670. Friday and Saturday,8 p.m.: McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, (619) 340-2787.