The oral storytelling tradition flourishes in Grumpuss, an award-winning staged reading of a knight-in-shining-armor epic poem conceived, written, produced and performed by Pike.  It is Allhallows Eve in the forest when a wanderer trespasses on the fairy mound of the Queen of the Sidh.  His fate, on account of his innocent impropriety, is to meet one of three ends: become mad, die, or receive the gift of poetry.  The wanderer (Pike), choosing the latter, thus offers up the story of Grumpuss, a behometh kitty reputed to have terrorized the kingdom, and Sir Ellory, the brave knight sent to capture him.
   This is a live theater production, gussied up and staged as a benefit for Save the Children Foundation.  The initial acting that sets the scene is weak and a bit clumsy.  But the epic poem itself, which unwinds slowly, engages the wary listener, proving to be touching and suspenseful.  Pike's clever language is easy for all to understand and, at times, downright Dr. Seussian.  He plays several characters and is convincing, in large part owing to his voice work.  There are musical interludes (directed by David Carr) during the four-act story, which lend playful, almost Pink Panther humor to the tale and break up the long narrative.  One questions the need for the Queen of the Sidh framing device; the strength of Grumpuss, in fact, is its oral narrative.  It is a good fairy tale with an underlying contemporary message—respect our wild animals.  A marginal video purchase, this could prove most rewarding on audiotape (ISBN 1-892900-02-5.  $16.95), where listeners can add their own "visuals."