“South Park” almost won an Emmy for its “Trapped In The Closet” episode, which pulled all the typical Scientology punches: exploitation, aliens and, of course, Tom Cruise. But Les Freres Corbusier’s A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant refreshes such juvenile comedy with actual juveniles: The cast ranges in age from 7 to 13 years old. The show is chock full of charming scenes—like when L. Ron and Mussolini play Twister or when Tom Cruise introduces his lovely wife and daughter. Somehow, even the cheapest shot and most obvious insult manage to come across with subtlety and nuance when delivered by a child. Here, Scientology is like Prozac: For some people, it’s the answer; for others, it’s only a stand-in for reality. Really, wasn’t L. Ron Hubbard just a crazy existentialist, searching for meaning, purpose and a whole lotta money? And unfortunately, aren’t we all? The most fascinating aspect of the show is catching a glimpse of the future adults inside each cast member—in the mature intonation of William Wiggins’ L. Ron or Sean Moran’s probing stare as Cruise. And as voyeurs, audience members can already glean what might one day cause them pain, imbuing a pathetic sense of irony in this campy satire. The sad truth is, these child actors will grow up and, as they say in the show, “the snow will fall and the flowers won’t be in bloom,” and they’ll ask the very same questions Scientology claims to answer. But for now, they’re just kids, without the prescience to realize that their bittersweet spoof is really quite sincere. 

Through Jan. 7. NY Theatre Workshop’s 4th Street Theatre, 83 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd Ave. & Bowery), 212- 239-6200; Wed.-Thurs. 7, Fri.-Sat. 7 & 9, $25-$35.