‘Dolly’ Still a Match With Audiences

“Hello, Dolly!” is a favorite with audiences, despite an occasionally sloppy script and the fact that only its title song was a popular hit. The Cabrillo Music Theatre production, ending its run this weekend at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, shouldn’t disappoint fans of the show, and may well add to their number.

Based on a Thornton Wilder play with 19th century European origins, “Hello, Dolly!” was written by Michael Stewart, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. The story of a widowed professional matchmaker who sets off to land a wealthy husband, the show was designed as a vehicle for an Established Star of A Certain Age.

Without an overwhelming Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey or Barbra Streisand in the title role (written for Ethel Merman, who turned it down, to Channing’s continuing good fortune) its most interesting moments come from the supporting characters.

Ann Peck is a perfectly capable, even winning, Dolly Gallagher Levi, but the role is thin as can be. Fortunately, director Gary Gordon has assembled a strong cast, among them Michael A. Prohaska as Yonkers feed merchant Horace Vandergelder; John Bisom and Jason Hillhouse as his comic assistants; and Tracey Williams and Gennifer Jacobsen as milliner Irene Malloy and her assistant.

Terry Barto designed the well-executed and often witty choreography, and musical director Diann Alexander conducts the capable orchestra.

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More Touring Shakespeare: The Actors Repertory of Simi Youth Ensemble’s “Twelfth Night” has joined the production of “Merry Wives of Windsor” touring Ventura County. Director Toni Frisk has assembled a large cast of young people up to age 22, most of whom are said to be acting Shakespeare for the first time.

As if that isn’t challenge enough, Frisk and musical director Jan Glasband have the troupe singing madrigals during the show and at intermission--also a first for most of the ensemble.

While the acting is--understandably--of variable quality, several of the performances are just fine, notably: Jesse Flanagan, Jeremy Cox and Deirdra Danaher as the comic trio of Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Maria; and Alan Glasband as Malvolio, their target in an elaborate practical joke that forms the play’s secondary story line.

Shanna Roddy stands out as countess Olivia, and Jaime Krupsaw is a real comic discovery as Olivia’s jester. On opening night, Rachel Valadez filled in capably on short notice as the play’s main character, Viola; Audrey Matthieu is expected to be back in place for the remaining performances.

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‘70s Flashback: A new theatrical genre has developed during the last few years--”Forever Plaid” and “The Taffetas” for instance--that parodies non-rock musical presentations of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

From Rick Lewis, the creator of “The Taffetas” comes “Have a Nice Day!,” a sendup of the cheerful, earnest traveling ‘70s pop troupes including Up With People! and the Young Americans.

It’s being presented at Ventura College by Full Moon Productions, whose professional productions “The Taffetas,” “Pump Boys and Dinettes” and “Starting Here, Starting Now” played the venue during the past two summers. Elise Berner, Luke Darnell, Diane Offenberg, Robyn Roth and Fred Voss portray the group, on (shades of “Nunsense!”) the set of a community theater production of “The Odd Couple.”

The script is negligible, sometimes even tiresome, but the songs and presentation under director Mykal Kavanaugh and musical director Shelly Markham are quite clever.

One typical medley includes “You’ve Got a Friend,” “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” “Lean on Me,” “Let Me Be There” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Even though these versions are much blander than the originals--that’s the joke--the arrangements and singing are top-notch.

BE THERE

“Hello, Dolly!” 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. $18-$28. Ends Sunday. (805) 583-8700.

“Twelfth Night,” 7 p.m. tonight and 2 p.m. Saturday at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave. (805) 581-9940. Also at: Rancho Simi Park Amphitheater, July 26-27; Barranca Vista Park in Ventura, Aug. 2; and Santa Paula Theater Center, Aug. 8-16. $5-$8. (805) 525-4645.

“Have a Nice Day!” at Ventura College Theater, Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m., through Aug. 3 (No shows July 25-27) $12-$14. (805) 662-3117.