Melodramatic Beatles premiere on High St.

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers Allan Hunt

The Secret Garden Restaurant and The High Street Theater Foundation have joined forces to put melodrama back on High Street with "The Beatles Slept Here," a musical directed by actor Allan Hunt.

The Secret Garden Restaurant, at 255 E. High St., will provide not only the venue for the musical melodrama but also an added feature: dinner, which is included in the ticket price.

The melodrama will open with a gala brunch on Sun., Feb. 25. The event will include prizes and surprises, including the auctioning of a cigarette that belonged to Beatle John Lennon, "almost on stage" dinner seating for two and Beatles belt buckles.

The show is a trip down Abbey Road with song, dance and laughter. Actors and audience will interact, providing entertainment at its best.

Hunt, best known for his portrayal of Stuart Riley in the Irwin Allen television series "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," has an extensive career as an actor and director. He recently directed stage productions of "Pirates of Penzance," "Cabaret," "On Golden Pond" with Marsha Hunt and William Windom, and the world premiere of a new musical, "Love 40."

Producer of "The Beatles Slept Here" is Reesha Tuomi, who has collaborated with Hunt on the melodrama that will run Fridays and Sundays through March.

Each show will encourage audience participation and contests like "Tally Those Tunes!" The audience member who comes closest to the correct number of Beatles song titles spoken by actors in the show wins a prize. A Beatles singalong will top off each show.

Proceeds from "The Beatles Slept Here" will benefit the Children's Theater Workshop at the Moorpark Boys & Girls Club, which is sponsored by the High Street Theater Foundation.

Performances, which include Friday night dinner or Sunday brunch, will be March 4, 9, 11, 18, 23, 25 and 30.

Seating for the Opening Gala will be limited, so theatergoers should order tickets now.

For prices, tickets or more information, call (805) 529-0532.