‘Epidemic’ a Big Change for Slater

Christian Slater’s bad-boy image is about to take a beating. The hot young star of such films as “Heathers,” “Pump Up the Volume” and the just released “Kuffs,” is making his directorial debut--with a stage show for children called “The Laughter Epidemic,” opening next Saturday at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills.

Proceeds are going to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation; Slater contributed the cost of the production; costumes and sets were donated.

“It’s a huge change from anything I’ve ever done,” Slater said, taking a breather from his coast-to-coast “Kuffs” promotion tour before meeting with the “Laughter” cast.

“It’s exciting and kind of strange to be the guy everybody comes to for answers. I can understand how annoying it must get for directors I work with, because I always have ideas and suggestions. But usually they’re very patient, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Slater, 22, “sort of grew up” with the musical. His mother, casting director Mary Jo Slater, originally produced the show as a fund-raiser for the nursery school her son was attending. He was 3 years old.

“I was raised with it,” Slater said. “My mother would hum the tunes; whoever I bump into now who saw the show” remembers the “catchy songs.”

Written by Richard Sanders (Less Nessman on “WKRP in Cincinnati”), with music and lyrics by prolific actor/director/producer James Hornbeck, the musical is about a fishing village under the thumb of mean and nasty Dr. Needle, and Sonny, the young boy who brings laughter and sunshine back to the town. (Sonny is played by Ben Savage, brother of “Wonder Years” star Fred Savage and the only child in the cast.)

Mary Jo Slater said the project came about because “this disease is affecting us all. I wanted to do something, find a personal contribution that we could make. The theater is a love of mine and this was a commitment to do something positive, and something I enjoy.”

Her son’s involvement in the show delights her. “I gave him his first acting job as a bit player in ‘One Life to Live’ “--he was 7--”and now I’ve given him his first directing job,” she quipped.

Slater doesn’t have other directing plans, but he hopes that both adults and children will come away from the show “learning something about prejudice,” one of the issues “dealt with in a very subtle way in this play. I’d like them to (leave) feeling good about themselves--and remembering to smile,” he said.

“The Laughter Epidemic,” Canon Theatre, 205 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, Saturdays, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. through Feb. 9. Minimum donation: $10; (213) 365-3500.

Food for Thought: Each Sunday, kiwi and casaba seekers at the outdoor Hollywood Farmer’s Market on Ivar Street can mix a little theater with their produce.

With its dubious reputation for tawdry adult entertainment behind it, the old Ivar Theatre now offers live family theater matinees on Market day for the enjoyment of shoppers, young and old.

But the low price--a donation if you’re able, free if you’re not--may not spark a lasting interest in “Legends and Traditions,” 50 minutes of storytelling, dance and music from such locales as Israel, Poland and Germany.

The Renegade Theater Company, in association with the Inner City Cultural Center, has tied together several traditional stories from Judaic culture, each acted out by the large, multi-ethnic cast using mime, music, drama and dance, with props and costumes plucked from on-stage racks.

The concept is fine, but much of the execution is disappointing, particularly Lisa Orkin’s awkwardly-spoken performance as tale-spinner Dvora who keeps a demon (Gentle Culpepper) at bay with her stories.

And, despite the diverse cast, the show’s mostly religious emphasis assumes audience familiarity with Jewish tradition.

Humorous references by writer Philip Sokoloff and co-writers and directors Joseph Megel and Debora Roventini help, but the cast focuses best in choreography by Denise Cook and Megel.

The show is followed at noon by changing dance programs.

“Legends and Traditions,” Ivar Theatre, 1605 N. Ivar, Hollywood, Sunday, 11 a.m. through Feb. 16. Donation; (213) 857-849).