THEATER REVIEW : A New, Lively Twist to an Old Fairy Tale : A show suitable for the entire family, ‘Snow White and the Seven Surfin’ Dwarfs’ offers good laughs along with fine singing.

It’s not easy searching for the perfect wave in the middle of a forest. But the seven dwarfs have spent their lives doing just that. Until one day, a princess, who is on the lam from a queen who’s trying to have her killed, comes into their lives . . . well, you probably know the rest. So do the producers of the Moorpark Melodrama, who are presenting “Snow White and the Seven Surfin’ Dwarfs,” a lively twist on the old tale.

All of the Melodrama’s best elements are here, in generally superior form. Erin Appling, a company regular who plays Snow White, has one of the Melodrama’s best singing voices, and the cast has no weak members. Several newcomers to the Melodrama appear to good effect, and Jeff Wallach--familiar from onstage roles--makes an impressive debut as director.

As usual, the Melodrama has sprinkled several popular songs throughout the script; highlights here include three ladies-in-waiting (Jackie Hendrickson, Pati Slon and Malaika singing “Proud Mary” as a renaissance waltz--beefing it up, like Ike and Tina Turner’s version, later on); Appling’s lilting “A Little Bit of Good in Everyone” and “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” and the ensemble finales of “It’s in His Kiss (the Shoop Shoop Song)” and “Chapel of Love.”

The new face most familiar to local theatergoers is that of Gabriel de la Vega, a big man with a big voice who plays the huntsman who takes Snow White into the woods. Another welcome newcomer is Gayle Hendrix-Harris, who plays the wicked queen. In this version, the witchery is done not by the queen but by a full-time witch, played by Carla Jimenez, and Damian Gravino supplies some welcome physical comedy as a clumsy Lord Chamberlain.

The bad news is that three of the performers--Appling, Abigail Jones and David Webster (all longtime Melodrama actors)--will be leaving the area after this production to pursue fame, fortune and bitter cold in Chicago. Better catch ‘em while you can in a show that’s particularly suitable for children, if not infants.

Details

* WHAT: “Snow White and the Seven Surfin’ Dwarfs.”

* WHEN: Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m., through June 4.

* WHERE: Magnificent Moorpark Melodrama & Vaudeville Co., 45 E. High St.

* HOW MUCH: All seats $12; ask about senior citizen, child and group rates for some performances. Visa and MasterCard accepted.

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