MUSICAL HELPS CAST TAP INTO EMOTIONS.

Byline: P. Catherine Shanks Daily News Staff Writer

``Stepping Out'' opens at the Conejo Players Theatre today with an outrageous troupe of tapping hoofers who could easily bring back Vaudeville.

This third show of the Conejo Players' 39th season is irresistible. Billed as a comedy, the Richard Harris creation about a class full of nondancers who learn to master their tap shoes comes off more like a choreographed soap opera.

``People are going to show up thinking this is a happy-go-lucky show,'' said Deanna Milsap, who plays Sylvia.

``This is not `42nd Street,' '' said Rebecca Clarke, who portrays Maxine. ``It's very much about how women with pain in their lives deal with it.''

During the four weeks of intensive rehearsal, the actors learned how to dance well and, then, how not to dance well.

``Until you learn what it is you need to do, you can't unlearn what you know,'' said Sandie Sigrist, who portrays Dorothy in the show. Only two of the dancers in the show knew how to tap at the time they were cast.

Sigrist and one or two other members of the mainly professional company have suggested they might add ``pseudo tapper'' to their resumes.

With music provided by Cheryl Talbot in the guise of pianist Mrs. Fraser, the mixed-up and mismatched class works out the kinks in its routine. As the steps become more refined, the characters become more defined, and some of the truth behind all the tapping is revealed.

``Stepping Out'' is also about how seven females, their male classmates, one grumpy piano player and a stressed-out instructor relate to one another on-stage and off. Led by Lady Jan Faulkner as Mavis the instructor, the ragtag troupe-in-training traded insult for innuendo right up to the grand finale recital.

At a recent rehearsal, in therapeutic fashion, the cast discussed their characters' flaws.

``These women aren't learning anything useful, like motor mechanics,'' Clarke said. ``Who's going to use tap dancing? Least of all, these women.''

As one actress adjusted her kitschy second act headband and dance skirt, another actress appeared in a hodgepodge tights and leotard ensemble. Confessing the lack of taste exhibited by her character, Milsap said, ``It gets much worse.''

Milsap complained about speaking the requisite British accent, while her character chewed gum. ``I have to pre-chew the gum for about 20 minutes, because it has to pop on cue,'' she laughed. Clarke, the only true Briton in the show, helped coach the rest of the cast. The English dialect gave Judy Weaver, as Lynne, a reason for being.

``My mother says I don't have a real personality,'' Weaver said. ``If someone doesn't kick a cue line at me, I don't know what to say.'' A professional actress who has appeared in a number of local productions, Weaver said she always has one accent or another going on.

``Most of us are repeat offenders,'' Milsap said.

Faced with a repertoire challenge, Talbot pulled rank on her piano-playing character. ``The score called for Chopin's `Revolutionary Etude,' '' said Talbot, who opted, for practical reason, to play something lighter.

According to associate producer Gordon Durich, ``Stepping Out'' is a well-rounded blend of comedy, drama and dance. ``It's an ensemble show, in that all the characters are really important,'' Durich said. Roschelle Jones Artist, Ken Endress, Susan Michael, Sandy Richard and Rick Steinberg complete the dramatis personae.

``Stepping Out'' plays Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings through July 18. The 39th Conejo Players season will continue Aug. 28 with ``To Kill a Mockingbird.'' The season concludes with a November production of ``Kismet.''

The Conejo Players Theatre is located at 351 S. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks. To make reservations or request information, call (805) 495- 3715.

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PHOTO (Color) Actors Jan Faulkner, left, and Cheryl Talbot perform a scene from ``Stepping Out.''

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News