Parody Route

With last year’s production of the long-running off-Broadway musical “The Fantasticks” more of an artistic than a commercial success, the Moorpark Playhouse is returning to its former format of genre parodies, with the space between filled by one- or two-night stands by guest artists--like pop-folk trio the Limeliters, who will appear Feb. 20.

The current production is “47th Street,” an adaptation of a show called “Give My Regards to Broadway” that is a parody of backstage musicals from the ‘30s and ‘40s and features several talented veterans of the former Moorpark Melodrama.

Producer Linda Bredemann and director Kevin P. Kern have taken the original Shubert Fendrich, buttressed it with topical and local jokes, and added to its several vintage George M. Cohan songs a few numbers from “Guys and Dolls” by the great Frank Loesser.

It seems like an odd juxtaposition with “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat” in the same show--but it works. As for the rewritten Fendrich, he isn’t even credited on the printed program. Nor, for that matter, are Cohan and Loesser.

Moorpark regular Jim Harlow plays Dick Foster, a Broadway director (or producer, it’s hard to tell) whose show is on the verge of collapse--he’s run out of money, one of the actors is in the hospital and his leading lady (Carla Jiminez) seems to be basing her attitude on Miss Piggy.

His pianist (John Gaston) is being pressured into marriage by his longtime fiancee (Kathi Janca Gravino), and--in a plot development that’s more than a little reminiscent of the film “Some Like It Hot”--a hood (Ron Kewish) is hiding among the cast, avoiding gangsters The Boss (Damian Gravino) and Mugsy (Chris Carnicelli). Highjinks, naturally, ensue.

The singing is above-average for a Moorpark Playhouse production, and the chorus often manages to stay in step with Leigh Sandness’ choreography. Richard Berent is the musical director.

The Playhouse’s remaining spring schedule includes two more parodies: “E.R. With Dastardly Doctor Devereaux” (Feb. 26-March 21) and “Harry Mason--Perry Mason’s Inept Younger Brother” (May 7-30); and concerts by the Limeliters (featuring original member Alex Hassilev) on Feb. 20 and Papa Doo Run Run, an oldies group specializing in the music of Jan & Dean (with whom they worked for several years), and the Beach Boys on May 1.

Each musical group will perform matinee and evening shows; call 529-1212 for further information.

Casting Call: The Conejo Players will hold auditions Sunday through Tuesday evenings for its upcoming production of “Me and My Girl,” the vintage musical that was successfully revived in the United States about 10 years ago.

Of the huge cast, the lead male must be able to sing and tap dance, and one male character must be able to play the piano.

Everybody else must be able to sing (prepare a brief song for the audition), dance (bring your shoes, too) and affect various accents ranging from Cockney to posh.

Auditions will be held at the Conejo Players Theater, 351 S. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks, beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. The show will run Thursdays-Saturdays, April 2 through May 8. For more information, contact Jere Rae-Mansfield at (818) 494-7199.

“47th Street” continues through Feb. 14 at the Moorpark Playhouse (formerly the Moorpark Melodrama), 45 E. High St. in Moorpark. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $12; group discounts are available. For reservations (strongly recommended) or further information, call 529-1212.