Review: ‘Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!’ at Greenway Court Theatre

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Unexpected relevance often steers the pop-quizzical frolic of ‘Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!’ at Greenway Court Theatre. When it does, there’s smart fun afoot. This quasi-sequel to the 2007 revue based on the 1970s animated series receives a charming staging by theatrical wizard Rick Sparks.

Set in an economically depressed diner (keenly realized by designer Adam Flemming), ‘Too!’ cavorts among six archetypes. To save their hangout from foreclosure, the denizens draw from ‘Schoolhouse Rock,’ its actual footage appearing overhead. Around this scenario, the show weaves 20 vintage numbers, from ‘Electricity’ to ‘Conjunction Junction,’ into a tasty repast.

Sparks is in his element here, making sharp use of trademark social dancing moves while effectively blending technology, camp and sentiment. Jeremy Pivnick offers another crack lighting design. Kat Marquet contributes some giggle-making costumes.

The ever-remarkable Lisa Tharps adds full-throated chanteuse to her distinguished resume as proprietor Nina. Michael Lopez shines as chef Cookie, especially choice in the deathless ‘I’m Just a Bill.’ Jayme Lake’s server Julie and Harley Jay’s drifter Lucky display glossy voices and unaffected involvement.

At the reviewed performance, Tricia Kelly, who alternates with Kelly Meyersfield as upstairs tenant Rebecca, was able, yet operated at a remove from the material. Brian Wesley Turner’s schoolteacher Tom gamely prevailed against a noisily malfunctioning head-mike, one of two drawbacks.

The other is length. Though ‘Too’ runs less than an hour and a half, 15 extraneous minutes could easily go. Regardless, the age-spanning crowd ate this larky specialty up, and that says it all.

-- David C. Nichols

‘Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!,’ Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays. No performance tonight and July 4. Ends July 26. $24. (323) 655-7679. Running time: 1 hour, 20 minutes.

Caption: From left: Jayme Lake, Brian Wesley Turner and Tricia Kelly in ‘Schoolhouse Rock Live Too’ Credit: Ed Krieger