Double your fun with two High Street plays
When the High Street Theater Foundation was first created, the mission of the group was to make sure the former Moorpark Melodrama served as an arts center for the city. How the vision would become a reality remained unclear.

To everyone's delight, the city took the advice of both concerned citizens and foundation members and purchased the theater, now known as the High Street Arts Center. City officials then improved the electrical system, the sound system and hired a top-notch manager to oversee the facility's programs.

A suggestion was made that after the city purchased the theater the group could adjust its mission and benefit all High Street businesses by becoming the High Street Foundation. The move would promote High Street as a delightful piece of Americana.

The plucky group instead launched its own production, "The Beatles Slept Here." But when the foundation attempted to book the theater, the city shut the group out, contrary to arrangements made in August 2006.

This week, the foundation finally landed a performance space in the sumptuous outdoor dining area behind Moorpark's famous Secret Garden restaurant. The actors will present the Beatles project here on Sun., Feb. 25. (See story on page 18.)

Meanwhile, Arts Center manager L.J. Stevens plans programs designed to reach a higher clientele. The season opened with a colorful and lively production of "Barnum" and a stand-out version of "A Christmas Carol- The Musical." Debuting Feb. 23 is "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged." This three-man show, directed by Moorpark College's Rolland Potrello, melds breakneck comedy and the Shakespearian canon. The Shakespeare production will run concurrent to the melodrama, giving Moorpark theatergoers two High Street plays from which to choose.

The competition has served to benefit the community, and now's a great time to get out and catch a play, or two, on High Street.

Ticket information for "The Beatles Slept Here" at the Secret Garden is (805) 529-0532.

Ticket information for the High Street Arts Center's "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged" is (805) 529-8700.