Perfect Play to Have With Dinner

You probably haven’t heard of “Murder by the Book.” Few people have, according to Marquie Dinner Theater’s Paul Marquie, who is presenting its West Coast debut. But the mystery-farce, which has played in London and on the East Coast, is prime dinner theater fare: fast, funny and clean.

In the tradition of “Sleuth” and “Deathtrap”--only much funnier than either--there are enough twists and surprises in Duncan Greenwood and Robert King’s script to confuse Agatha Christie; it’s best not to give away too much of the plot here.

Martin Horsey plays acid-tongued mystery writer and critic Selwyn Piper (“I can kill off my victims in the afternoon, and my competition in the evening”) who--just to be contrary, it seems--refuses the demand of his perpetually boozing actress wife, Imogene (Patricia Adrian), for a divorce. Meanwhile, Piper’s rather prim secretary (Kelli Hornachek) and snoopy next-door neighbor (John McKenna) take it upon themselves to solve a murder that occurs in the immediate vicinity, and Piper’s publisher (Gene Bernath in a performance that gets funnier every moment he’s on) is interested in all this for more than one reason.

Director Rick Steinberg keeps his cast moving rapidly, most of the accents are close enough for dinner theater, and the laughs come steadily.

When a prop seriously misbehaved on opening night, the actors onstage handled the crisis wittily enough that the “mistake” is almost worth keeping in future performances.

* “Murder by the Book,” at the Marquie Dinner Theatre, 340 N. Mobil Ave. in Camarillo. Thursdays-Saturdays through Sept. 27. Open at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., play begins after 8 p.m. $30 ($2 senior discount) for buffet dinner and play. Cash bar. (805) 484-9909.

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SIMON SAYS “ENOUGH!”: Ventura County’s community theaters are readying to assail audiences with a strong dose of Neil Simon, as productions of “Rumors,” “Jake’s Women,” “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “The Odd Couple” open at the Conejo Players, Santa Paula Theater Center, Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center and Camarillo Community Theater within the next few weeks (“Rumors” starting tomorrow); a second production of “Jake’s Women” opens the Conejo Players’ 1998 season in January.

Remember those four productions of “Nunsense!” (and one of “Nunsense! II”) sweeping Ventura County in 1994-95? Here come the singing nuns again.

A shake-up in the Camarillo Community Theater’s Board of Directors has resulted in the group replacing its announced October production of “The Sound of Music” with the much smaller-scale musical, to be followed by a Marquie Dinner Theater production of the popular show in March.

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MOTORISTS NOTE: Not only does the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza remain the only entertainment facility in Ventura County to charge for parking, but officials also evidently feel you aren’t paying enough: On Monday, the regular fee rises 25%, to $5.

No word on whether they’ll be giving all the attendants a handsome raise with the extra money or, perhaps, detailing your car while you’re inside watching a show.

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CASTING CALL: The Conejo Players will audition for their upcoming main-stage production of “The Most Happy Fella” at 2:30 p.m. Sunday and at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Conejo Players Theater, 351 Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script, and a song (one to two minutes long) of the actor’s choice. Bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for dancing. Performances will be Thursday-Saturday evenings, Nov. 8-Dec. 13. For further information, call (805) 493-8271.

The Cabrillo Music Theatre will audition Sept. 6-8 for its upcoming production of “South Pacific.” Auditions will be held for the principal roles (Nellie, Cable, Emile, Bloody Mary and Billis) Sept. 6 in Burbank; two Equity contracts will be filled from these roles.

Local auditions for principal and ensemble roles will be held in Thousand Oaks Sept. 7; and dance auditions will be the evening of Sept. 8. All auditions are by appointment only; call (805) 497-8613 for further information.