Pleasingly sweet ‘Little House’ captures prairie life

“Life’s simple pleasures are the best in all the world.”

That sentiment was the theme for a series of TV applesauce commercials a number of years ago. Arguably, it could also be the main theme of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved “Little House” novels.

It’s been eight years since the original “Little House on the Prairie” was last seen on the stage at the Coterie Theatre, but Pamela Sterling’s adaptation is once again the holiday presentation at the renowned children’s theater.

The joys and difficulties endured by the Ingalls family as they travel from Big Woods, Wis., to settle near Independence, Kan., are well-known to millions. 

For the most part, that familiarity is more comforting here than it is commonplace. But coming from The Coterie, a company with a strong reputation for exceptional quality, it is disappointing when a show is merely good.

Sterling’s adaptation is episodic, flowing from one incident to another without much transition. Still, the dialogue and characterizations are affable and in keeping with the ambience of the source material.

Ric Averill, who also serves as the play’s director, portrays Charles “Pa” Ingalls, the patriarch who subscribes to the hard-working ethics of the American settler.

Charles puts his family in a covered wagon and heads west. Wife Caroline (Jeanne Averill), daughters Mary (Katie Hall double-cast with Melanie Humphrey) and Laura (Mattie Faith Bell double-cast with Chloe Wells) and baby Carrie join in the adventure with their faithful dog, Jack (Martin Buchanan).

During their journeys, they encounter curious Osage Indians (Alex Haynes and Keenan Ramos) and concerned neighbors (Nicholas Gehlfuss and Rachel Hirshorn).

The family’s dependence on the kindness of others is dramatized in three incidents.

Tabitha Pease’s minimalist set makes good use of a manual turntable to create movement and the illusion of space in a limited area. Megan Turek’s costumes provide an authentic look.

As always, Art Kent’s lighting and David Kiehl’s sound design are rock solid.

Averill adds a nice touch by adding some period music to the mix. The folk standard “Old Dan Tucker” is among the tunes that are played on the guitar (Gehlfuss) and two fiddles (Averill and Ramos).

Like a comforting serving of applesauce, “Little House on the Prairie” may not provide much nutrition, but it is pleasingly sweet.

“Little House on the Prairie” runs through Dec. 29 at the Coterie Theatre, 2450 Grand Blvd., in Crown Center. For information, call (816) 474-6552 or visit www.coterietheatre.org.

THEATER NOTES

The Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre is presenting its second Pulitzer Prize-winning drama of the season.

William Saroyan’s “The Time of Your Life” is sentimental drama that takes place in a San Francisco bar in 1939.

With the world on the brink of war, the eccentric and wayward folks who populate a waterfront dive called Nick’s Pacific Street Saloon interact with a self-styled philosopher named Joe.

“The Time of Your Life” runs through Dec. 6 at the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, 3614 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. For tickets, call (816) 569-3226 or visit www.metkc.org.

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