A natural assumption about The Angels Theatre Company production of "Reviving Ophelia" is that the play will only appeal to young girls and, perhaps, their mothers.

After all, the short play - it runs about 65 minutes - is an adaptation of Mary Pipher's book of the same name that chronicled the psychological and sociological difficulties that young girls face growing up.

But while playwright Cherie Bennett utilizes many of the same themes as appeared in Pipher's book, the play is not a reiteration of it.

And to be truthful, Bennett's script is not the most dramatically compelling.

It is more of a stylized tutoring of the issues and stereotypes with which girls and young women are confronted - relationships, social acceptance, death and most important of all, acceptance of self - without any real plot development.

While perhaps not that theatrically engrossing, the play still manages to communicate these messages, not only to girls and mothers, but also boys, husbands and fathers.

If the script is somewhat lacking, the play's cast provides some solid acting performances that give the production substance.

Quite likely this achievement is in large part because of the usual comprehensive and insightful direction of Judith Hart.

Jennifer Olson (Lia), Erin Mills (Allie) and Rosy Maldonado (Jill) are strong throughout, with each of the actors demonstrating character growth as the play progresses.

There is some occasionally uncertainty in Ayana Atiba Sahar's Dawn, but the effort is still laudable.

Providing nice support in a portrayal that also displays fine role development is Nick Wolf as Alex.

"Reviving Ophelia" has some good acting and a positive message, even if the play itself is a bit bare.