THEATER REVIEW ‘A NIGHT IN VENICE’ : Enchanting Evening : Moorpark College is presenting the West Coast debut of the obscure comic operetta by Johann Strauss Jr.

Those looking for innovative entertainment in Ventura County might not be immediately drawn to Moorpark. But the truth is that, with at least three active and imaginative producers of theater, the tiny community is becoming home to one intriguing project after another.

Moorpark College is presenting the West Coast debut of “A Night in Venice,” a comic operetta by renowned 18th-Century composer Johann Strauss Jr. Resourceful director Marilyn Anderson tracked down the relatively obscure work. (This production’s status as the West Coast debut has been verified by the Washington-based Central Opera Service.) In addition to about 170 waltzes, including “Tales from the Vienna Woods” and “The Blue Danube,” this member of the prolific Strauss family composed 16 operettas. Of those, “Die Fledermaus” and “Der Zigeunerbaron” remain the most popular.

Others, though, have remained somewhat lost, which is the case with “A Night in Venice,” a comic piece that might be described as a cross between Shakespeare and Gilbert and Sullivan. While not one of the great musical works of the world, the piece warrants the revival, and this revival deserves a look.

The relatively recent English-language translation (by Murray Dickie) of an adaptation credited to Erich Korngold, Laslo Imre and Herbert Priopka evidently includes a bit of the adaptors’ own music, as well as at least one number imported from another Strauss operetta. Director Anderson has updated the translation further with new lyrics to one of the numbers, invoking possibly jarringly anachronistic and ultimately pointless references to U.S. political figures of the last few decades--the song in which they appear sounds like Mark Russell updating Gilbert and Sullivan.

Taking place in Venice a hundred years or so ago, the story involves pompous politicians, crafty commoners, a randy Duke and mistaken identity--classic components dating back to Grecian comedy.

David Newton is featured as the urbane Duke of Urbino. Throwing his annual ball, he seeks the company of a Venetian, Barbara, whom he had met the year before. As she was masked at the time, he doesn’t know what she looks like.

He’s not about to find out: For various reasons, various substitutes are sent in until the Duke is up to his ascot in purported Barbaras.

Three local politicians solicit the Duke’s patronage. Pappacoda, a cook, would like to be appointed to the Duke’s household. And Caramello, already a servant of the Duke, would like a promotion to major-domo. Mme. Testaccio, wife of one of the politicians, has plans of her own.

All of this is presented in a mixture of song and speech, all quite listenable and accompanied by tireless pianist Darryl Archibald. Jeff Wallach, a Moorpark Melodrama mainstay recently seen in the California Shakespeare Company’s fine “Romeo and Juliet,” is a gifted comic and acceptable singer; a fine Pappacoda. Jerri Ursetti played his wife, Giboletta, last Saturday night; she alternates in the role with Iris Prcic; Nanette Cox and Carol Sauerwald alternate in the role of Annina, who sings “Frutti di Mare.”

Perhaps the best singer of the cast is tenor David Newton as the Duke; James Kirkland is Caramello.

Andrew Krigel, Fred Camerer and Grant Dagg portray the ambitious, fatuous politicians Delaqua, Barbaruccio and Tertaccio; Linda Smith is Mme. Testaccio. David Baker plays an officer engaged to the real Barbara, and Danielle Martin appears as Barbara.

Sandra Weaver’s minimal but versatile set functions well, and the costumes, credited to director Anderson, are colorful.

Even if the production wasn’t as good as it is, Anderson and her students would deserve credit for their efforts in trying something new. The fact is, “A Night in Venice” is almost as captivating as the real thing, and without the potential of falling off a gondola.

* WHERE AND WHEN

“A Night in Venice” continues through this weekend at the Moorpark College Forum Theater, 7075 Campus Road, in Moorpark. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8, $7 for students and staff, and $6 for seniors and children. For reservations, directions to the theater or further information, call 378-1437.