SHADOWY SHENANIGANS ABOUND IN `CASABLANKA' : THE FACTS.

With ``The English Patient'' and its North African World War II theme in the running for the Oscars, ``Casablanka,'' the latest spoof by the Moorpark Melodrama, fits right in with the trend.

When ``Casablanka'' is sung to the tune ``Oklahoma,'' it's obvious the audience is in for a romp in this very funny musical. Humphrey Bogart she's not, but the vampish Lisa Bohn, who reminds me of a young Lucy Arnaz, carries the role of Rickie Blaire with panache. Rickie owns Rickie's Place, of course, and she's got a piano player - Ham, played with broad humor by Brian Bookbinder.

Since Casablanka is a city of intrigue during World War II, a place for exit visas to escape from war-torn Europe, it's filled with a slew of dubious characters. Maj. Gen. Stresser, a female Nazi rendered with diabolic zest by Kathi Janca Gravino, is searching for the perpetrator that murdered two Nazi agents and stole their exit visas.

Louis Peugeot, the inventive Jeff Wallach, as the French police chief, is looking for the visas, while Achmed Ahooga, an amusing Scott Caster, is trying unsuccessfully to escape with them. And then there's Signor Volare, the vocally inspired Marlon Deveraux, who runs the Purple Hippopotamus restaurant.

Into the confusion step anti-Nazi activists Irving Lunt (the very entertaining Jason Rasmussen) and his wife, the five-time winner of the Pillsbury Bake-Off Victoria Layslow, played by the amiable Gina Jaxx. Irving, a suave cad, is part of Rickie's past, a lover who abandoned her in Paris as the Nazis invaded. Their song - play it again, Ham - is ``As Time Crawls By.''

Before Rickie and Irving can get together again (contrary to the way the movie ended), there are lots of shenanigans which provide great excuses for songs like ``Hitler Doesn't Change His Underwear'' or ``At the Purple Hippopotamus,'' helped along by the animated ensemble of Nancy Nester, Laura Montanti and Lacy Rumley.

The music and lyrics for the show were very entertaining thanks to lyricist Douglas Braverman and music director Richard Berent.

Keeping to the wartime theme and the silly but infectious high-jinks, the vaudeville presented at the end of the musical is ``The Ted Tacky 1940s Radio Half-Hour Amateur Talent Show.''

If you need a laugh before your taxes are due, or for any reason for that matter, enjoy an evening or afternoon at the Melodrama. It's almost guaranteed to raise your spirits.

WHAT: ``Casablanka'' book and lyrics by Douglas Braverman, music by Richard Berent.

WHERE: The Magnificent Moorpark Melodrama & Vaudeville Co., 45 E. High St., in Moorpark.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. through April 6. A special showing also is set for April 3 at 7 p.m.

COST: $12 per person.

INFORMATION: [phone].

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Photo

Photo: Ham the piano player (Brian Bookbinder) tickles the ivories at Rickie's Place for owner Rickie Blaire (Lisa Bohn) and Irving Lunt (Jason Rasmussen) in a spoof of the Humphrey Bogart classic.