First, forget the book. Whole sections of “The Hobbit” are left out, characters are added and religious philosophies inconsistent with author J.R.R. Tolkien’s repeated statements of his personal world view are inserted for reasons best known to the producers.

Second, be prepared to enjoy the Faith Christian School summer players’ stage production of the now classic fable for the extraordinary energy and talent that went into it.

The CFCS show is based on the musical adaptation of the novel by Ruth Perry (book), Alan Jay Friedman (music) and David Rogers (lyrics).

Third, tonight’s your last chance. If you miss it – well, too bad for you. The company’s excellent rendering of the tale was a delight from start to finish.

Performances and the technical backup provided by a skilled crew made the roughly two-hour production quite entertaining for the audience of some 180 people who packed FCS theater Friday.

The directorial and production skills displayed in a show that sometimes had as many as 40 or 50 kids on the stage made it even more impressive for those familiar with how difficult it is to mount A Big Show.

Producer Paul DeMeritt, who has a high school version of “Les Miserables” in his sights was modest in his description the summer players’ hobbit endeavor. Summer productions are seen more as exercises in enjoyment for the actors, that as thespian training experiences, DeMeritt said.

“We try to make summer shows fun. During the school year it’s more of a training experience,” he explained.

The directorial and production element of the play was a family affair, with director Paul DeMeritt being joined by his daughter, Lindsay (who also helped add some original music). Costume design was by Anne DeMeritt. Paul DeMeritt also collaborated with technical director Matthew Timoszyk on the lighting effects which played such an important role in creating atmosphere and facilitating scene transitions.

K.J. Pereira and Susan Van Hal did a admirable job of musical direction, with overall sound design aided by Larry Badger.

That said, we come to the issue of casting, direction and performances that proved to be the highlight of the play.

The cast of some 50 kids appeared to range in age from six to 16 years old – a mix that can be difficult to juggle.

Amazing was the animation the director was able to extract from the players, especially so from the youngest of the actors, such as Bittles Harmon and Alexandrea Moore – Frodo and Frieda Baggins, respectively.

Lead actors Ryan Ruzich as Thorin Oakenshield, king of the dwarves, and Ryan Schmall, “burglar hobbit” were standouts.

Childrens theater – that is to say, theater for children – requires considerable over-acting (but not too much). Director Lindsay DeMeritt and the two Ryans were able to balance these well.

With 40 or 50 kids on the stage, with some playing double and even triple roles it was hard to keep track of who’s who.

But special mention should be given to Alex Cesena for his cackling performance of Gollum in a slithery outfit that emphasized his lantern fish eyes. A mere bystander familiar with the original book would wager Cesena had read the book and absorbed the essential character of the villainous creature.

Notable form his size and voice characterization was Tim Van Hal, who played Gandalf, the wizard who sets everything in motion and liberally salts the story with ominous predictions and deux ex machina appearances. The beard and the wizard hat did him a disservice only in that they effectively disguised him from the future recognition he deserves.

Then , too, there was Dwalin of the dwarves, a red-haired girl who brought a strong voice and energetic expression to her role. It turned out she was Katie DeMeritt, Paul DeMeritt’s youngest daughter.

Nonetheless, the premiere talent on display was Dahni Trujillo, who played a variety of roles from a Hobbiton resident to leader of the trolls to Smaug the (almost) invincible dragon.

Trujillo, as Helga, and her three troll sisters, Hildegard, Brunhilda and Gertrude – Aimele Heinberger, Allyson Carlson and Beverly Galusha, respectively, delivered the First Act blue-ribbon number, “Eating” – although the athletic Schmall gave them a close run for it with his “No, Thank you!” answer to Gandalf’s invitation to “Adventure.”

But the real piece de resistance of the entire show was the scene between Trujillo as Smaug and Schmall as Baggins. Their by-play, her acting, her Broadway make-up and 10-foot costume and, most of all, her sinuous rendition of the bluesy “Breathin’ Fire” was the showstopper.

Dahni Trujillo is going places.

And the place you should be going is to see her tonight at the FCS Theater at the First Methodist Church at the intersection of Highway 20 and George Washington Boulevard, Yuba City. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children – if any are available. The show was oversold last night.