‘Angel Street’ Audience a Step Ahead of Heroine

Other than comedies, the most entertaining form of theater may be the mystery. There aren’t many good ones, so anything new and good is welcome.

“Angel Street” isn’t really new--under the name “Gaslight” it was a hit movie in 1944. That film was based on a play by Patrick Hamilton, which continues through Oct. 20 at the Arts Council Center in Thousand Oaks. For complicated reasons having to do with an early British film of the property, the play is now called “Angel Street,” but the script remains the same.

In the story, Jack Manningham (Wes Deitrick) is trying to convince his wife, Bella, (Rebecca Hanes) that she’s insane, for reasons not immediately clear. If that isn’t enough, he treats Bella like an infant while the toothsome young maid (Rochelle Glatt) bats her eyelashes at him.

A mysterious stranger (Don Pearlman) shows up, and the story unravels rather quickly to a satisfactory conclusion.

This is a mystery for those who find the likes of “Sleuth” (which opens Friday at the Marquie Dinner Theater) or “The Mouse Trap” too darned complicated; the audience is ahead of the heroine most of the time.

Yet, “Angel Street” delivers in terms of pure entertainment value. For one thing, Bella may be the slowest on-the-uptake protagonist in the history of theater--the expression “dumb as a stump” leaps to mind.

One of the mysteries is why Jack married her. Hanes plays the role perfectly straight under Jim Diderrich’s direction, and this results in the audience all but shouting their own warnings to her, a phenomenon similar to, say, the “Friday the 13th” films.

The acting is good throughout, with Pearlman a standout as the colorful stranger, and Theresa Secor notable as a more sympathetic maid.

* “Angel Street” continues through Oct. 20 at the Arts Council Center, 482 Greenmeadow Ave. (off Moorpark Road) in Thousand Oaks. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $10; $8, seniors and students. For reservations (recommended) or information, call 381-2747.

* “Sleuth” opens Friday at the Marquie Dinner Theater, 340 N. Mobil Ave., Camarillo, and continues Thursday through Saturday nights through Nov. 23. Doors for all performances open at 6:30; dinner is served from 6:45; and the performance begins at 8:30. Tickets for all shows are $30 ($2 discount for seniors at all performances) and include the show; a buffet dinner with meat, fish and vegetarian entrees; and coffee or tea. A full cash bar is available. For reservations (essential) or further information, call 484-9909.

‘Pirates’: In one of those amazing not-so-coincidences that occur all too frequently in local community theater, two productions of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” will open early next year, a week apart in Moorpark and Simi Valley.

First scheduled was the Moorpark Melodrama’s, which opens Jan. 10. The Melodrama’s Linda Bredemann promises a show even more broadly performed than written, in “Melodrama” style.

Comedy Tonight Productions’ Gabriel Vega, flush with the success of his company’s recent staging of “The Mikado,” pledges a more traditional version, opening a week earlier.

Casting Call: Comedy Tonight Productions will hold auditions for its production of “The Pirates of Penzance” on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Tuesday between 6 and 10 p.m. in Thousand Oaks.

Rebecca Hanes is director; Zachary Spencer, musical director. The part of the Major General has been cast; all others are open. Prospective participants should come prepared to sing a song “appropriate for G&S;” and dance. Bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided.

Performances will run Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees from Jan. 3-25 at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. For information or an audition appointment, call 389-3193.

The Moorpark Melodrama will hold auditions at 7 p.m. Sunday for its production of “A Dickens of a Holiday.” Several of the characters are parodies of pop culture figures: Elvis Presley (three of ‘em!), the “Brady Bunch” parents, Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, Fred and Ethel Mertz, Darren and Samantha Stevens, and Paul Lynde. Plus Santa Claus, Ebenezer Scrooge, and a quartet of carolers.

Those interested should prepare two contrasting Christmas songs (an accompanist will be provided), and be prepared to harmonize and read from the script. The show will run Thursday through Sundays, Nov. 29 through Dec. 22, and the actors are paid. The Melodrama is at 45 E. High St.in Moorpark. For further information, call 529-1212.