On Friday, an appropriately frigid night, Theater of Youth reprised its entertaining production of “The Snow Queen.”



S. Lewis adapted this wintry tale from a fable by Hans Christian Andersen. As ice blanketed the streets outside, the story’s heartwarming effects were felt inside the company’s gorgeous Allentown theater.



One of the production’s strengths is the set: a utilitarian staircase and proscenium-fringing fabric icicles are beautifully enhanced by designer Kenneth Shaw’s additional fabric panels. A huge old cherry tree, and an eerily frozen world are represented; Jon Harper’s lighting contributes much to the magical world.



Three narrators alternate to describe the goings-on. Several back stories are offered to set the stage for the action. These explanations are a lot for very young kids to follow, but they, and we, must adopt the old “suspension of disbelief.”



We are told that “long, long ago,” trolls mocked humans with a mirror that reflects only ugliness. The trolls used this mirror to laugh at us from above. (“HA, HA, HA,” booms out, demonstrating trolls’ revelry in this sport).



But then, the mirror was dropped, and it shattered into 10 million trillion pieces, some as small as grains of sand. If even the tiniest piece gets lodged in a person’s eye, everything looks twisted; if one gets in your heart, it literally freezes.



There is also the icily enchanting Snow Queen. She lives in an ice palace and flies about in a great white sled.



Director Meg Quinn keeps the story moving. The production runs under two hours. The main characters are two children, Gerda (Danica Riddick) and Kai (Justin Fiordaliso). Grains of mirror land in Kai’s eye and his heart; he morphs from a lively, helpful boy, to a negative and nasty one.



Adults playing children is a challenge. Fiordaliso works it as the “ugly” Kai, but his sweeter version relies on a slack-jawed expression of wonderment that could use some variation. Once Kai is infected with the mirror, he is abducted by the Snow Queen (Mary McMahon).



Riddick, as Kai’s loyal friend Gerda, is on stage most of the time; she is pretty, and pretty delightful. Worry and determination naturally cross her face; she remembers her friend, even when others don’t.



Ex-Studio Arena head, film and theater actor Kathleen Gaffney is clearly having a ball, taking on five roles. Her Narrator is warm; she also conveys creepy (Cherry Lady) and defensive (Robber Girl’s Ma). As the Fisher Woman, her Scottish accent was a bit dicey—tartans and a rubber trout carry the moment—but Gaffney gives off that “Glenda-ish” positivity and reassurance.



The tall Kurt Erb is a magisterial Narrator. With his fur-epauletted robes, he seems to glide on stilts. As the third Narrator and Robber Girl, Laura Bevilacqua is enthusiastic, but seems slightly out of step with the production’s gentle tone.



Gerda’s odyssey to save her friend presents many tests, and morals are offered throughout the journey. Taking your family to see this show is an appropriate way to enjoy the season and experience theater’s creative potential.



Theater Review



“The Snow Queen”



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Fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen presented through Dec. 20 by the Theatre of Youth in the Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. Call 884-4400 or visit www.theatreofyouth.org.