`IT'S BIGFOOT,' WITH SMALL ACTORS : YOUNG ENSEMBLE ENTERTAINS WITH HALF-HOUR FARCE.

Byline: Victoria Giraud Special to the Daily News

Question: What do you do to boost business when your Big Moose Lodge on a Pacific Northwest lake has only one guest?

Answer: Find some large footprints and announce that Bigfoot's prowling around, if you're Penny (Sarah Campbell), the enterprising owner's daughter. Then sit back and enjoy the hoopla.

That's the plot line in the sparkling comedy ``It's Bigfoot,'' performed by the youngest members of Young Artists Ensemble as part of Courtyard Theater, appropriately held in the center courtyard of the Arts Council Center.

The production, featuring children ages 10 to 14, is short and sweet but offers ample time for a well-rounded cast to go through its paces and have a great time doing it. It's a broad comedy spinoff from stories of Canadian Mounties and ``do-gooders.''

Mrs. Og (Mary-Robin Michael) is irritated at hard-working lodge owner Moose (Sarah Spigelman). It's no fun being a lonely guest.

Rumors of Bigfoot's presence are scary to most, but not sassy, animated teen-agers Rose (Chelain Goodman) and Marie (Robyn Saxer).

And everyone wants a piece of the action.

Enter the news media investigating the Bigfoot sighting: director Luke Brogoitti, announcer Cole Birchman and their crew members, Rebecca Norris and Jason Paul.

Dressed like a Canadian Mountie, Renfrew the sheriff (the comic Adam Bennett) swaggers on stage to save the day - he thinks.

Alice (Rose Lindgren), Ruby (Kerry Jean Mauger) and Pearl (Valerie Rips) begin a ``Save Bigfoot Foundation'' to guard Bigfoot's rights.

Hard-boiled Irving the fur trapper (Randi Saxer) and his trusty Indian scout, Lone Eagle (Bethany Ann Estrada), would just as soon capture Bigfoot for his fur.

Advertising exec J.J. Krass (the appealing Tess Barker) wants to sign Bigfoot to endorse products.

For a time, Jimmie (Patrick McManama), disguised as Bigfoot, has most of them scared and fooled. But just when Bigfoot is revealed as phony, Lady Bigfoot (Rebecca Norris) wanders on the scene. She's the real thing, and she's not shy: She wants Renfrew.

The cast's enthusiasm is infectious, and the laughs are frequent. The oak trees and cool breezes of the outdoor courtyard provide an ideal setting for an entertaining half-hour.

THE FACTS WHAT: ``It's Bigfoot,'' by Tim Kelly, performed by the Young Artists Ensemble.

WHEN: 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

WHERE: The Arts Council Center, 482 Greenmeadow Ave. Thousand Oaks.

COST: $5 per person

INFORMATION: [phone]

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Photo

PHOTO Cast members rehearse ``It's Bigfoot'': from left, Ad am Bennett, Mary-Robin Michael, Chelain Goodman, Jason Paul and Rebecca Norris. The comedy is performed in an outdoor courtyard.