Royal Family Fare

When a lovely young princess becomes so despondent she remains all but bedridden, her parents call in the Royal Court’s greatest minds. But it’s the jester who outsmarts them all.

That’s the story of “Many Moons,” a fable by humorist James Thurber. Winner of the Caldecott Award for children’s literature in 1944, the work has since been adapted as an opera, by Robert Kapilow, and as a play, by Charlotte Chorpenning.

It’s the play that’s being produced by Oxnard’s Elite Theatre Company. Less than 90 minutes long including intermission, it’s aimed at a family audience.

Chorpenning’s script retains much of Thurber’s distinctive language, as well as preserving the sharp edge on the author’s whimsy. Remarkably, many of the Elite actors look like characters from Thurber’s cartoons, thanks in some degree to Janet Hascher’s costumes, and in some degree to the actors’ physical appearance.

Lea Baskas is properly fetching as Princess Lenore under Judy Heiliger’s direction, displaying a touch of intelligence somewhere inside her seemingly shallow exterior. She’s also one of the more expressive actors on the stage. Jake Lesser and Yolanda Lesser play the King and Queen, with Betty Taffert as the Royal Nurse.

The King’s advisors include Chuck Frankenberg as the Lord High Chamberlain; Irv Citron as the Royal Wizard (and Oxnard City Council candidate Deborah Horton as his wife); and the perfectly cast Tom Obeid as a nerdy Royal Mathematician. Sherrill Silk appears briefly, and newcomer Chris Stewart is the pivotal Jester.

Some of the acting is subpar by adult theater standards--now that they’ve got their lines down, several cast members should work more on making them sound spontaneous.

But it’s a charming story, well-told in several respects, and it should hold the attention of kids, their parents and grandparents alike.

* “Many Moons” continues at 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 12 at Petit Playhouse, 730 South B St. in Oxnard’s Heritage Square. $12; $10, seniors; $8, children 12 and under. For reservations (recommended) or information, call (805) 483-5118.

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Casting Call: Musical director Gary Poirot will hold auditions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday for Ventura College Opera Workshop’s next production, a Broadway revue that he will conceive and write. Bring sheet music, preferably of a Broadway-type song. An accompanist will be provided. The show will run the last two weekends of October. For further information, call Linda Ottsen (805) 653-0454.

The Conejo Players will hold auditions for their production of the musical “Kismet” at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at the Conejo Players Theater, 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.

All roles--far to numerous to recount here--are open. Those auditioning are requested to bring sheet music. Show tunes or light opera is preferred; an accompanist will be provided. Performances will be weekends, Nov. 6 through Dec. 12. For information, call Doug Jocelyn at (805) 495-4560 or Georgeanne Less at (805) 498-7939.

The Artists Repertory Company of Simi will hold auditions for its production of “A Chorus Line” from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. All roles are open for singer-dancer-actors. Unlike most ARTS productions, actors should be age-appropriate.

“Wear dance clothes and be prepared to move,” says musical director Gary Poirot, who also requests that everybody be prepared to sing short excerpts of their best selection. Bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. David Ralphe will direct, with choreography by Dani Brown.

Performances will be at the center on weekends, Nov. 6 through 29. For directions or further information, call (805) 529-3611 or (805) 581-2714.