‘OPQRS’ Offers a Lesson in Self-Respect

In the mythical town of Ottoville, orange is the only legal color, one plus one is zero and February has 31 days. Why? Because Otto the Official, bully and absolute ruler of Ottoville, says so.

He even determines the behavior of the Ottovilleans by issuing labels in lieu of last names: Stacia the Silly, Quilla the Quiet, Peter the Prudent and Rozelle the Rebellious.

In the disarming Bumberchute Players’ production “OPQRS, etc.” at the Los Angeles Children’s Museum, the inhabitants of Ottoville have a lesson to learn about individuality and self-respect.

That lesson begins when a stranger to town, a wandering artist named Eduardo Alvarez Fernandez (Alvaro Asturias), is struck by the absurdity of all the “orangeness” around him and doesn’t hesitate to point it out.

He is locked up in the “Ottomat” and almost drowned in orange paint for his trouble, but Eduardo finally brings the townspeople to their senses--even Otto, who is really just a frightfully insecure fellow named Tim.

Madge Miller’s hourlong play tends to be talky, and the ending too convenient. The production itself, directed by Candace Barrett, needs refining--the action is overly breathless at times and Joan Harrison’s Rozelle is too shrill.

There is ample fun, however. Although she is not consistent, Mimosa, as Stacia the Silly, is an appealing clown who conceals intelligence behind foolishness. Tom Dugan, with a nice sense of timing, uses understatement to humorous effect as the outrageously self-important Otto.

Asturias, lithe and animated, is delightful as the clear-eyed artist who wants to paint Otto with green for his greed, violet for his vanity and blue for his bullying.

Eventually, the Ottovilleans throw off their labels and their “orangeness” and welcome all the colors of the rainbow in a bouncy musical finale led by Quilla (Nyna Shannon Andersen) at the piano.

Harrison’s costumes and Martin Paull’s set, in various shades of orange, are simple but eye-appealing. Hit or miss, the unpretentious Bumberchute Players continues to be a company to watch.

At 310 N. Main St. through Aug. 28, Wednesday-Sunday at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Free with $4 Museum admission. (213) 687-8800.