Noodlin’ around

Shane Gammon

Friday, April 10, 1998 | 9:10 a.m.

"It's active," young actress Renee Brna explains, "and it's bright and it's colorful, very animated,"

It's the "Noodle Doodle Box," being staged at the Studio Theatre of the Reed Whipple Center, starting tonight.

Renee, 15, playing the drum major, Eric De Lorette, 11, playing Pepper and Jordan Slocum, 15, as Zacharias, along with the rest of the Rainbow Company, are presenting "Noodle Doodle Box" as their fourth production of the season.

"It's kind of a story of friendship problems. It's fun for kids, definitely a kids' show," Eric explains. "They like it, they follow along with you," Renee adds. "They're on the stage with us, their imaginations completely go into the show."

The Rainbow Company is an non-traditional children's theater, encouraging children to experience all aspects of theater by allowing them to hold such positions as stage managers and lighting crew members, but for this performance the company made a few changes.

According to director Karen McKenney, now the children have basically "taken over" the performance. They have full control over costume designs, lighting and stage managing, while the directors act as "advisors."

"We are not just a kiddy theater," McKenny explains. "I am conscious of good roles for young people. If you know anything about children's theater, there are rarely good roles for young people. Usually, there are what we used to joke about: 'floppy bunny shows.' I am not going to knock 'Hansel and Gretel,' but a season of that would just be horrible.

"So when we choose our season, we try to choose a show that appeals to younger kids, a show that appeals to the older kids, and a show that appeals to the whole family," she continues. "I think of it more as a theater for a family audience, and I think of it as a professional training program for kids ages 10 through 18."

The company, she says, does appropriate casting by age, which is unusual for a children's theater. "If we have a grandfather, we get a grandfather," she says. "If we have a mom, we get a woman who is old enough to be the mom. If we have a kid, we use a kid. Our auditions are open. You can walk in off the street and audition."

Rainbow Company members says that theater productions have become less popular among Las Vegas' young adult crowd, and are hoping to encourage them to experience theater, rather than staying home and watching television.

"I think it's important for (children) to get involved in something they really like," Cassie Vodovoz says. Adds her sister, Cynthia: "All of us really love theater, and we got involved in it. If they love theater, they should get involved in theater."

Tickets for "Noodle Doodle Box" are $2 for children 12 and under, $3 for teens and senior citizens, and $5 for adults. They can be purchased at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center or the Charleston Heights Arts Center. Performances are various days and times through the end of April. For more information, call 229-6211.