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The Man Who Planted Trees

Lovell Estell III

Puppet State Theatre Company

Through Oct. 19

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THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES

“Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.” This final stanza from Joyce Kilmer’s famous short poem “Trees,” came to mind after viewing this enchanting show from Puppet State Theatre Company. It’s a “multi-sensory,” adaptation of Jean Giono’s allegorical story about a simple sheepherder, Elezeard Bouffier who literally, transforms a landscape of savage scarcity near the French Alps into an oasis over a thirty plus year period by the simple act of planting trees. Giono’s story is only a few thousand words, but it has jarring resonance, especially in this environmentally conscious milieu, and Ailie Cohen, Richard Medrington and Rick Conte’s adaptation is listener friendly for the kiddies and adults. It’s narrated mostly by Medrington, who plays the role of Jean the traveler who encounters Bouffier while hiking, and subsequently forms a decades long friendship with him, one that spanned the two great wars and beyond. And then there is Elezeard’s chatty, but sagacious canine, who also shares narrative duties, thanks to Rick Conte and Medrington’s puppet mastery (Cohen’s assortment of puppets are too cute!). If you like the smell of lavender or mint, and the cooling spritz of water, then by all means, come, as these are experienced courtesy of Cohen’s simple props. If nothing else, it will impart a reverential respect for the majesty and mystery of trees.

Lovelace Studio Theater, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA Sat., 12:00, 2:30 & 5 pm.; Sun., 12:00 & 2:30 pm., thru. thru Oct. 19. www.thewallis.org or  (310) 746-4000.