New Kids' Theater Debuts with Kipling By Ronald Drenger The mongoose and the snake circled each other warily, looking for an opening to attack. The snake lunged, the mongoose, its tail flying, parried, and the two jungle animals wrestled on the polished wood floor of a fourth-floor Tribeca loft. The actresses, their movements choreographed to Indian music, were rehearsing “Rikki Tikki Tavi,” an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s tale about a mongoose that saves a human family from deadly cobras in its garden. The show, which opens Oct. 5, launches Manhattan Children’s Theatre, Downtown’s newest cultural venue.   MCT’s home is at 380 Broadway in a former rehearsal, exhibition and gallery space rented from Access Theater, which shares the floor. The company, which will stage four classic works in its inaugural season, is devoted exclusively to children’s shows, produced with professional adult actors and crews. “We’re the off-Broadway of children’s theater,” said Laura Stevens, MCT’s executive director. “Kids are often not given enough credit for what they can understand, learn and enjoy,” said Bruce Merrill, who adapted and directed “Rikki tikki Tavi” and is MCT’s artistic director. “Unfortunately, kids’ theater is often looked at as the ugly stepchild of professional theaters. Kids should have theater that’s just as good as what adults have.” Stevens, 32, co-founded Vital Theatre Company on West 42nd Street in 1999, and was executive producer of Vital Children’s Theatre. Merrill, 32, who has been working in the theater with kids since he was in college, was director of Vital Children’s Theater. The two recently recently won an OOBR (Off Off Broadway Review) award for their work. “Kids are so excited when they come to the theater,” Merrill said. “It fascinates them, and if it’s good, they want to come back again and again. I love that. They’re such an appreciative audience. But they’re also very truthful. If it’s bad, they let you know.” Lighting and sound for each production will be run in the open. “When I worked in other theaters and took kids backstage to show them where the lights and sound came from, they were so interested in seeing what made the show magical for them,” Stevens said. “They were in on a secret, involved above and beyond what they saw. I think it’s important for them to see that it’s not just about actors onstage.” Stevens and Merrill also devised a flexible theater design to make the most of the large open loft. Over the summer, Stevens and a crew of carpenters built three sets of carpeted, bleacher-type seats that can be moved around to create different stage setups, with space for up to 100 children and adults. “There are so many ways that we can bring the whole room to life,” she she said. The theater can seat up to 100 people. MCT will begin with Saturday and Sunday afternoon shows but Stevens and Merrill hope to eventually offer weekday matinees and evening performances as well. They hired an arts and education director to work with schools and youth organizations and they plan to have activities for kids before or after shows, including talks with the actors and technical crew. “Starting a new theater is scary as hell, but it’s very exciting,” said Merrill. “Every time I come Downtown I see so many kids and families in the neighborhood. That’s inspiring.” Manhattan Children’s Theatre 2002-2003 Season: Oct. 5–Nov. 24: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling. Dec. 7–Jan. 5: The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen. Jan. 18–March 9, 2003: Aesop’s Fables. March 22–May 11: Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. MCT is at 380 Broadway, at White Street., 4th floor. Peformances are Saturdays and Sundays, 12 and 2 p.m. Children, $10: adults, $12. For reservations, call 252-2840.