'DESTRY' PRODUCTION RETURNS WESTERN FAVORITE IN NEW PLAYHOUSE.

Byline: Sharon Cotal Staff Writer

NEWHALL - Sheriff Tom Destry will ride into town again today, ready to rid the area of spurious mine claims, murder and mayhem as the Canyon Theatre Guild brings back the show ``Destry Rides Again.''

Tonight's opening marks an encore - ``Destry'' had a very popular run seven years ago at the Guild's rustic Sierra Highway location.

Guild artistic director Tim Ben Boydston, who also directs ``Destry,'' brought back the musical comedy/western to run in conjunction with Santa Clarita's Cowboy and Poetry Festival, which takes place March 29-April 1.

``We have people coming in from out of town who will be visiting our new playhouse for the first time, so we wanted to introduce them to the true Old West,'' Boydston said. ``This play is the epitome of the true western, and anyone who wants to see good guys and bad guys duke it out and have the good guys win will enjoy it.''

``Destry'' opens at 8 p.m. today and will be shown at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through April 29 at the Guild's theater at 24242 San Fernando Road, Newhall.

The play is set in the Western town of Bottleneck, where dance-hall queen Frenchy and her villainous boyfriend, Kent, engage in illegal activities until the new sheriff, the innocent Tom Destry, rides into town and uses his wits as a weapon against the town's corruption.

The role of Frenchy is shared by Ingrid Boydston and Erin Rivlin-Sakata, Kent is played by Phil Nordella with Frank Rock as understudy, and Joe Wheeler will reprise his role as Destry.

In a move that could be called foreshadowing, Santa Clarita Councilman Cameron Smyth will play the mayor of Bottleneck in the production.

``I think it's very brave of (Smyth) to take on this role for the arts,'' Boydston said. ``He has put himself out there to play a political character who blows with the wind, and he certainly is not like that in real life.''

As an added element of fun, various local celebrities will take turns performing in cameo roles throughout the run. Councilman Bob Kellar, Chamber of Commerce President Doug Sink, local businessman Don Flemming and state Assemblyman George Runner are among those committed for a one-time appearance as the original sheriff of Bottleneck, who gives his life in the pursuit of justice.

``It's because the sheriff is killed that Wash, the town drunk, sends for Destry to come save the town,'' Boydston said.

In addition to the conflict between good and evil, the play also contains a good, old-fashioned love story as Frenchy sees the evil of Kent and their illegal affairs and falls for Destry.

``When Frenchy falls in love with Destry, her eyes are opened. I think love brings out the best in all of us,'' Boydston said.

While all of this is going on, a rollicking good time is had by the town of Bottleneck, home to ``ladies of comfort,'' drunks, dancing cowboys, bumbling henchmen and, of course, the madam with a heart of gold.

Supporting characters include Kent's gang of evil sidekicks, played by John Candelaria, Dave Forster and Mike McCreary. Wash is played by Michael Collins and Wash's wife, Chloe, is played by Marsha McLean.

Other characters include the Claggetts, played by Michele Krantz and Ed Hill; Bailey, played by Garrett Finley; and Frenchy's housekeeper, Clara, played by Shirley Joyce. Jack Tyndall plays Jack Matson and bartending duties are handled by Jack Stewart.

Marla Khayat plays Madam Rose Lovejoy, and her various ``ladies of comfort'' are Julie Berlin, Amanda Akuizu, Chelsea Brandon, Lori D'Itri, Mo Davis, Kayla Hill, Nikki Kilker, Laura Luxmore, Shannon McCreary, Kamber Moen and Jan Marie Hayes. Dancing cowboys include Marc Steinfeld, Tim Christianson, Rory Lubold and Loren Burghout.

Working with Boydston as assistant director is Michele Krantz. Leslie Berra is the musical director and Jan Marie Hayes is choreographer.

Tickets for ``Destry Rides Again'' are $10 to $15 for adults and $8 to $12 for students and seniors. Reservations can be made by calling the Guild box office at [phone].

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``Destry Rides Again'' is a musical comedy set in an Old West town. Dance-hall queen Frenchy and her evil boyfriend are engaged in illegal activities until the new sheriff, morally upright Tom Destry, arrives to fight the town's corruption.