Kansas University Theatre for Young People manages to spin gold in this unique production of “Rumpelstiltskin.” The macabre Brothers Grimm fairy tale is given a lighthearted retelling by guest artist Moses Goldberg, making it palatable for the youngest of audiences.

The show, which was performed for schoolchildren last week, was presented to the public this weekend at KU’s Murphy Hall.

The playful tone is set from the get-go as the play-within-a-play framework introduces the characters and the roles they will be playing. The magic of make-believe is guaranteed to capture the hearts of children familiar with acting out their own plays and perhaps inspire some budding thespians. In this context, the minimalist costume and lighting adds to the childlike simplicity of the production.

Further contributing to the delight are the musical accompaniments provided by the actors themselves. From tubas to xylophones, the tunes capture all the innocence and fun of a grade school concert and are reminiscent of the nostalgic songs on a White Stripes album.

With music and lyrics by Lisa Palas, the musical interludes provide some of the most memorable parts of the play. Julie Bayliff, who plays Patience, the baker’s daughter, sings with doe-eyed perfection, and Jordan Foote’s numbers as Rumpelstiltskin have the grumpy fun of Oscar the Grouch singing “I Love Trash.”

The story unfolds as Cosmo the baker gets a surprise visit from the Queen. As her majesty searches for just the right pastry, the charming prince strikes a fancy with Cosmo’s daughter, Patience. When the queen deems her unworthy of her son’s attentions, Cosmo responds by boasting a claim that Patience can spin straw into gold.

The Queen puts Cosmo’s words to the test, ordering Patience to demonstrate this talent or be put to death. It is then that Patience is visited by Rumpelstiltskin, a rambunctious dwarf who promises to spin the gold if Patience will later give him her firstborn child. Inevitably, when the child is born, Patience does not want to live up to her end of the bargain.

It is a familiar tale told in a not-too-familiar format. The interactive style invites children to help out the characters in their various times of need. Emma Willis (Alexandra) and Ryan Klamen (Cosmo) are particularly good at bringing the children in the audience out of their shells and using their participation to add to the comedy. And Mikey Cohlmia’s performance in sign and pantomime is so entertaining you wish there were more of it.

The discovery of Rumpelstiltskin’s name may have been resolved too easily, as Cosmo overcomes the dwarf’s attempt to freeze him in a somewhat bizarre plot point, but this is likely to bother only older audiences. Children will buy this contrivance just fine and have a pleasant time with this performance.

The fable of Rumpelstiltskin deals with the perils of boasting, but for the cast and crew of this production, a little bragging would be just fine.