Singing a Different Tune

Two relatively unknown musicals, performed by local community theater groups, show how a bit of imagination from producers can result in rewards to audiences willing to take a chance on something they may not have heard of.

The better-known, “Plain and Fancy,” is playing at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. “Brownstone,” which rates no more than a footnote in reference books, is being staged by the Conejo Players as one of their Conejo Afternoon Theater matinee productions.

Both are entertaining shows worth attention.

“Plain and Fancy” has been getting some advance publicity, in great part because the 1955 show’s composer, Albert Hague, visited a few weeks ago to inspire the cast and crew, at the time in rehearsal. With its book by Joseph Stein and Will Glickman and lyrics by Arnold Horwitt, it’s a deliberately old-fashioned show and was when it first appeared on Broadway.

A large and enthusiastic young cast, under the direction of Jan Glasband, musical director Gary Poirot and choreographer Dani Brown, treat the show as if it were a theatrical classic and--Friday’s opening-night glitches aside--darned near succeed.

Ruth Winters (Rachel Valadez) and Dan King (David Meidenbauer) are New Yorkers in the Amish country of Pennsylvania to sell a farm he has inherited, preferably to one of the locals, members of a quiet, isolated and Luddite religious community. Before long, they’re somewhat unwittingly engaging in what a few years later would be characterized as “cultural imperialism,” stirring up the Amish and involving themselves in a local wedding. Katie Yoder (Nicole Bull) is about to marry her father’s (J.C. McKinley) choice for a husband, the unappreciative Ezra Reber (Robert Dantona); Katie yearns for his brother, Peter (Ryan Mills), of whom her father strongly disapproves. Not to give too much away, but there is a happy ending, even for the plain and unloved Hilda Miller (Mindy Mittleman).

While some of the performances were stronger than others, all were acceptable and are likely to improve with experience. And the story is one that the entire family, particularly the youngish and oldish, can enjoy together.

*

“Brownstone” is more adult-oriented, if only because the subject matter and characters aren’t likely to interest youngsters.

Set in a four-unit building in New York City, the play begins as Stuart (Michael Murnoch), a young man from the Midwest, moves into a recently vacated apartment. His neighbors are Claudia (Katy Wright), a youngish art-gallery manager; Joan (Mitzi Albert), a cynical Wall Street attorney whose fiance is working out-of-state; and a married couple. They are Howard (Tom Hand), a moderately successful author whose trouble with his current manuscript is causing friction with his wife, Mary (Peggy Walsh), a schoolteacher who virtually supports him, financially as well as emotionally.

The characters’ stories aren’t of great significance--what’s the plot of “Friends,” after all?--but are amusing. The dialogue, by Josh Rubins, Peter Larson and Andrew Cadiff, is largely sung to music by Larson and Rubins. Various styles are used, including some impressive multipart a cappella. Likewise, Tami Moore’s choreography covers a lot of stylistic ground, including a tip of the hat to Bob Fosse.

The cast members work well together under Shawn Lanz’s direction, and musical director Charles Padilla leads the five-piece backing band.

A pleasant couple of hours however you look at it, “Brownstone” is a particular value at $5 per ticket.

“Plain and Fancy” continues through Feb. 28 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave. Performances are at 8 Friday and Saturday evenings, and 2:30 Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Tickets are $12; $10 seniors and students; and $8 children 12 and under. For reservations or further information, call 581-9940. Friday-Sundays, March 12-21, the production moves to the Santa Paula Theater Center; call 525-4645 for reservations or further information.

“Brownstone” continues at 2:30 Saturday and Sunday afternoons through Feb. 20 at the Conejo Players Theater, 351 S. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks. All tickets are $5, with no advance reservations taken. For further information, call 495-3715.

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