PLAYHOUSE PLANNING FAMILY FRIENDLY FARE.

Byline: P. Catherine Shanks Community Columnist

Barring the cloaked villain and the railroad track, all the elements of melodrama are present: a damsel in distress, a $500,000 mortgage payment looming and the pursuit of a happy ending.

Moorpark Playhouse owner Linda Bredemann's effort to keep the theater formerly known as The Magnificent Moorpark Melodrama and the Vaudeville Company operating will continue Saturday with two shows by The Jim Gamble Puppets.

The renowned puppet performer will appear at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The circus is the theme and plenty of audience fun is in store for $5 a ticket. To round out the three-ringed theme, cookies, juice, and lunch also will be available for purchase.

On Wednesday, local teen country singer Ashley Jay will appear in concert. The midday performance will follow the Moorpark Country Days parade.

``The Fantastiks'' will open at the playhouse Sept. 11. The balance of the fall roundup will include the musical variety show ``Be-bop to Broadway,'' the farcical delight ``Bullshot Crummond'' and a surprise seasonal event titled ``A Dickens of a Holiday.''

And The Jim Gamble Puppets will make several return visits throughout the fall and early winter months.

Bredemann has carefully scheduled a range of ever-popular family oriented shows to ensure few dark days and no dull moments.

For veteran actor Robert Towers, who will portray Henry in ``The Fantastiks'' next month, the show and the production are like shining gems set in a jewel box of a theater that sits in the middle of Moorpark.

``There's a lot of positiveness about this place,'' Towers said.

The New York-trained actor who traveled across country many times and who originated the role of Snoopy in ``You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'' compared the Moorpark Playhouse with many old movie theaters he has seen. The beauty of the theater interior and what he referred to as ``perfect'' acoustics particularly struck Towers.

Bredemann has faith that momentum will build, as more former melodrama fans hear about upcoming performances.

She hopes to fill the house for all performances of ``The Fantastiks'' to cover expenses and - temporarily - live happily. The ever after part is still in the works.

There are plans to rent her 1,400-square-foot antique annex space and sell onstage backdrop advertising for additional income. She also is looking for contributions of goods and services and volunteers to help staff the theater.

``Friends said it will get better. Then, it got worse,'' said Bredemann, who recently returned to operate the theater after a tenant defaulted on rent. Upon inspection, she found the interior of the landmark in need of numerous upgrades and refinements. She noted that the heavy stage curtains and a missing pair of unique vaudeville doors had to be replaced.

Bredemann said she will persevere.

``I really missed the theater and felt empty when I was away,'' she noted.

In order to pay immediate bills, clean up the theater, replace missing items and make repairs, Bredemannn sold her home and set about planning a benefit concert.

Moorpark Playhouse season, or to reserve seats for The Jim Gamble Puppets performances, call [phone]. Tickets will be available at the door. The Moorpark Playhouse is at 45 E. High St.

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PHOTO The Jim Gamble Puppets will perform at the Moorpark Playhouse.