THEATER REVIEW / ‘ROCKIN’ ROBIN HOOD’ : Elvis Adds Modern Twist to a Merry Olde English Legend : The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll confronts the Sheriff of Nottingham in a deftly executed romp at Moorpark Melodrama.

Sideburns and ducktails invade Sherwood Forest in “Rockin’ Robin Hood,” an original musical written and directed by Scott Martin now playing at the Magnificent Moorpark Melodrama and Vaudeville Company. The legends of the Merry Men and Elvis Presley will both survive this burlesque, which is good fun, performed by a cast including some of the best singers in recent Moorpark Melodrama memory.

The basic story will be familiar to just about everybody: Gentle King Richard is off on the Crusades, with his evil brother, John, planning to assume the throne permanently. Out in the country, the Sheriff of Nottingham is helping Prince John’s nefarious work. Protecting the poor citizenry is a motley band of outlaws headed by nobleman Robin of Loxley, known to the rabble as Robin Hood.

Martin has added his own twists. Swivel-hipped Robin leads a vocal group that also includes Will Scarlett, Little John and Friar Tuck, whose singing is dismissed as elementary by Victoria, leader of a group of poodle-skirted women who themselves are dedicated to cleaning up the countryside. Before long, members of her group and the Merry Men are joined in arms--as well as other body parts.

While abhorring the peasants’ ducktail haircuts, Prince John is peeved because he hasn’t been invited to the Nottingham sock hop. Maybe it has something to do with his policy of overtaxing the populace, or simply stealing from them--”Who says that you can’t make a decent living in law enforcement?” inquires the Sheriff of Nottingham.

George Thomas, a Canadian who has worked professionally as an Elvis impersonator (but who looks more like Bruce Springsteen) plays Robin with good humor and a fine voice; his Merry Men are Jason Prince (Scarlett), James Harlow (Little John) and Robert Porter (Friar Tuck). Victoria (Kimberly Decker) is abetted by Dot (Alisa Nelson), Coral (Sara Wilkey) and Sister Kapp (Abigail Jones).

Jason Narvy and Damian Gravino play Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham, with David Barry and Hiram Johnson as the Sheriff’s comic flunkies. Vying with Victoria for Robin’s affection is another traditional character, Maid Marian (Tina Dearing).

The choreography (credited to Erin Appling and Michelle Arnott) is especially physical, with the cast pulling it off most of the time, and covering amusingly when they don’t. Martin’s script is inventive and pretty funny throughout, though grandparents may have to explain the “Howdy Doody” and “Kukla, Fran & Ollie” references to the youngsters.

The post-show “vaudeville” revue this time is a tribute to Elvis Presley, with various cast members performing the King’s songs. Highlights include a truly wacky selection of movie soundtrack material (“Girl Happy,” “Follow That Dream” “G.I. Blues”) in addition to the more usual stuff, and ventriloquist Kathi Janca Sowell’s interpretation of “Teddy Bear.”

Details

* WHAT: “Rockin’ Robin Hood”

* WHEN: Through Nov. 13. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursdays and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays with 3 p.m. matinees Saturdays and Sundays.

* WHERE: Magnificent Moorpark Melodrama and Vaudeville Company, 45 E. High St., in Moorpark.

* COST: Tickets are $12 with the following exceptions: $9.50 for children and seniors at matinees only, $8 for Friday night shows, and $6 on Thursdays.

* FYI: For tickets or more information, call 529-1212.