Theater Review:

The term “community theater” might conjure up thoughts of good intentions but awkward acting and homemade sets. Not so with the Stepping Stone Players, Glendale’s “community theater at its best.”

The troupe members have a confidence and professionalism about them that make audience members feel they’re at a top-notch production. Their current show, “Cheaper by the Dozen,” is full of artistry, and while not a Broadway spectacle, it is a heartfelt piece of period theater.

Set in the 1920s, this comedy is full of vernacular like “By Jingo!” but deals with the same teenage concerns as today — school, chores, boyfriends and stern, worried fathers. More than that, it’s the story of the remarkable, and real, Gilbreth family. Frank Gilbreth and his wife, Lillian, reared 12 amazingly competent children. (One child actually died at a young age, but they always referred to themselves as the “dozen.”)

The parents employed a unique style of family management incorporating business productivity methods and “efficiency of movement” techniques. They had weekly family council meetings encouraging democratic involvement by all. In reality, though, Dad was a strict, but jolly, dictator. It’s amusing to see these parenting theories put to the test. Frank and Lillian get everyone to buy into them by injecting a healthy dose of humor and truckloads of love.

Under the sensitive direction of Susan Kussman, the characters, particularly the youngsters, are allowed room to stretch their wings and show real, childlike personalities. It would have been easy to presume the children were upright, stuffed shirts, but each one is high-spirited and loose-jointed, flopping around the living room set like a real kid. Each has a unique and strong personality.

The casting is excellent with a few unexpected but intriguing choices. Sarah Lonsert is graceful and versatile as Ernestine Gilbreth, the second-eldest girl and narrator along with her brother Frank Gilbreth Jr., played by Andy Kenareki.

Onstage, Kenareki projects a confidence and maturity beyond his years. Film and TV actress Christina Gabrielle, brings a joyous spontaneity to the stage as young Martha. Sam Lant, as Bill, is a natural comedian delivering one-liners with panache. Sarah Koonse, Jacob Bonham and Quinn Kelly project their unique voices equally as well.