Arts Center posts new play season
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

The 2007-08 season at the High Street Arts Center will include two dramas, a comedy, a holiday classic and a popular musical.

"We'll continue to strive to offer a variety of quality productions that appeal to our local community," said L.J. Stevens, manager of the city-owned arts center.

The old-fashioned, fun-filled musical "Bye Bye Birdie" will open the second season Aug. 10. The show is an affectionate satire that tells the story of rock 'n' roll singer Conrad Birdie, who is about to join the Army. The lively tale is told as the cast sings tunes that include "Put on a Happy Face," "A Lot of Livin' to Do" and "Spanish Rose." "Bye Bye Birdie" will run through Sept. 9.

The next show, "Victor," is a drama based on the book "Frankenstein." The classic gothic horror tale, originally penned by Mary Shelley, tells the story of a tormented scientist and his hideous creation. "Victor" will run from Oct. 5 through Nov. 4.

"Marley's Ghost" will ring in the holiday season and play from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23. The show depicts the gothic Victorian story of Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge's deceased business partner in the Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol."

The seasonal play will be followed by rural drama "The Country Girl," to be staged from Feb. 1 through March 8. That play follows the trials and tribulations of a former stage superstar trying to get back into the game with the help of a young admirer, who is also a director.

The season will end with "The Curious Savage," on stage from May 16 through June 22. Through plot twists and hijinks, the comedy tells the story of Ethel Savage, an eccentric, very wealthy widow who attempts the make the best use of an inheritance despite her greedy stepchildren's selfish attempts to get their hands on it.

In addition to bringing a variety of shows to Moorpark, Stevens has been working to improve the audio-visual quality of the performances, said Clint Harper, a member of the Moorpark Arts Commission. The theater now has a new sound system and will soon have a new lighting controller.

The arts center recently had its first production of the "High Street Broadcast," a takeoff of a 1940s radio variety show.

The "Broadcast," a monthly event, is free to the public. The next show will be Sun., June 24 at 7 p.m. at the arts center. The group is exploring ways to air the show on the radio.

The High Street Arts Center is at 45 E. High St. For audition and show information, call the box office at (805) 529-8700 or visit www.highstreetartscenter.org.