THEATER REVIEW : Thousand Oaks’ Civic Arts Venue Launches ‘La Mancha’

Thousand Oaks has never been known for its thousand theaters--or indeed, for any professional theater.

But the people of that city got tired of driving to Los Angeles after hours, so they’ve turned their new City Council chamber into an after-hours theater.

And not just a community theater, of which Ventura County has many. A professional theater company, with an Actors’ Equity contract, has opened the new 349-seat Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza with “Man of La Mancha.”

In Los Angeles, hundreds of people recently attended a conference about how to develop more professional, mid-sized theaters. In Thousand Oaks, they’ve gone and done it.

Of course it remains to be seen if the community will support the artists as well as the building. Opening weekend was almost sold out. But it’s usually easier to build theaters than it is to sustain the companies within them.

Santa Susana Repertory Company, the new theater’s resident company, probably has a better chance than most. Its track record goes back to 1988, when it was born in Simi Valley. Its announced programming is not likely to ruffle many civic feathers; scheduled to follow “La Mancha” are “A Christmas Carol,” “The Boys in Autumn,” “Bullshot Crummond” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” Don’t expect any searing commentaries about the underbelly of Thousand Oaks any time soon.

Not that “Man of La Mancha” is the safest possible choice. Dale Wasserman’s book does take the side of prisoners against the authorities. But those authorities--the nasty folks who ran the Spanish Inquisition--aren’t likely to be seen as a metaphor for the daytime users of this space.

In 1989, Santa Susana did “La Mancha” in a makeshift Simi Valley tent after its temporary quarters were declared unsafe by city inspectors. That production more truly reflected the show’s situation--the company, like Cervantes in the play, was making theater under the pressure of outside stresses. The tent suggested the dungeon where “La Mancha “ is set better than any other venue in which I’ve seen it.

The Forum Theatre’s stage hardly looks like a cramped dungeon. It’s a deep, roomy plain. Ten rows of sharply raked seating rise from its east side, and 40 additional seats are on each of the north and south sides. A spacious walkway further separates the bulk of the seats, those on the east, from the action. During the first act, my view from the 10th row wasn’t nearly as intimate as you might expect in a house of only 349 seats. But during the second act, my view from the first row on the south side was much better, except for a few blocked sight lines.

This revival brings back the three exceptional stars of the 1989 version in fine form. Lane Davies, also the artistic director of the company, plays Cervantes with wry resignation and Quixote with winning naivete. Eileen Barnett makes us see and hear both Aldonza the wench and Dulcinea the angel. Jerry Winsett’s a model Sancho.

Except for a few fuzzy lyrics, the supporting cast is also strong, under the direction of Bruce French. The amplified volume of Carol Weiss’ five-piece backstage orchestra isn’t always well-balanced or perfectly coordinated with the singers. But generally, this “La Mancha”--and this theater--are a welcome addition to the theatrical landscape.

* “Man of La Mancha,” Santa Susana Repertory Company at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Forum Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Fridays-Saturdays, 8:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Ends Oct. 29. $24. (805) 374-8282. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Lane Davies Cervantes/Quixote

Eileen Barnett Aldonza/Dulcinea

Jerry Winsett Manservant/Sancho

Beau Billingslea Governor/Innkeeper

James Egan Duke/Dr. Carrasco

Gene Bernath Padre Perze

Fiama Fricano Antonia

Jon Mullich Barber

Wayne Wagner Anselmo

John Whittaker Pedro

Aspasia Alexander Fermina

Eleanor Brand Housekeeper

Damian Graviano Captain of the Inquisition

Anthony Ross Jose

John Szalkowski Paco

Julie Prijatel Maria

Kayre Morrison Moorish Girl

Jennifer Bledsoe, Tiffany Gelles Serving Girls

Chris Carnacelli, Thomas R. Moormeister Guards

Jeff Wallich, Jim Diderrich Prisoners

Written by Dale Wasserman. Music by Mitch Leigh. Lyrics by Joe Darion. Director Bruce French. Music director Carol Weiss. Costumes by George T. Mitchell. Sets by Roger C. Ambrose. Lights by Gary Mintz. Choreographers Leslie Woodies and Wayne Wagner. Production stage manager Crys Forsyth-Smith.