Season of variety planned at the High Street Arts Center
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

The 2007-08 season at the High Street Arts Center will include two dramas, a comedy, a holiday classic and a popular musical.

"We'll continue to strive to offer a variety of quality productions that appeal to our local community," said L.J. Stevens, manager of the city-owned arts center.

The old-fashioned, fun-filled musical "Bye Bye Birdie" will open the second season Aug. 10. The show is an affectionate satire that tells the story of rock 'n' roll singer Conrad Birdie, who is about to join the Army.

The lively tale is told as the cast sings tunes that include "Put on a Happy Face," "A Lot of Livin' to Do" and "Spanish Rose." "Bye Bye Birdie" will run through Sept. 9.

The next show, "Victor," is a drama based on the book "Frankenstein." The classic gothic horror tale, originally penned by Mary Shelley, tells the story of a tormented scientist and his hideous creation. "Victor" will run from Oct. 5 through Nov. 4.

"Marley's Ghost" will ring in the holiday season and play from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23. The show depicts the gothic Victorian story of Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge's deceased business partner in the Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol."

The seasonal play will be followed by rural drama "The Country Girl," to be staged from Feb. 1 through March 8. The play follows the tribulations of a former stage superstar trying to get back into the game with the help of a young admirer, who is also a director.

The season will end with "The Curious Savage," on stage from May 16 through June 22. Through plot twists and hijinks, the comedy tells the story of Ethel Savage, an eccentric, very wealthy widow who attempts the make the best use of an inheritance despite her greedy stepchildren's selfish attempts to get their hands on it.

The Moorpark Arts Commission expressed enthusiasm over the lineup. Stevens has done an excellent job in trying to establish a community and regional arts center in Moorpark, said Arts Commissioner Clint Harper.

In addition to bringing a variety of shows to Moorpark, Harper said, Stevens has been working to improve the audio-visual quality of the performances. The theater now has a new sound system and will soon have a new lighting controller.

"Under L.J.'s guidance the arts center also had its first production of the 'High Street Broadcast,' a takeoff of a 1940s radio variety show," Harper said.

The "Broadcast," a monthly event, is free to the public.

The High Street Arts Center is located at 45 E. High St. For audition and show information, visit www.highstreetartscenter.org or call the box office at 529-8700.