Having never been to the Great American Melodrama in Oceano, I did not know what to expect.

And what I got was neither mellow nor dramatic, but what I did get was a hilarious and joyous time.

The latest production at the Melodrama is “Mummy Dearest,” a spoof of the latest run of mummy movies, which have proven quite successful.

Written by Ben E. Millet and directed by Artistic Director Eric Hoit, the play is a solid presentation with song parodies, pop references and tons of irreverence.

Jake O’Conner, played by Andrew Beck, is an adventurer betrayed by Hakeem (Stefan Espinosa). O’Conner later joins Eve Kensington and her brother, Jonathan (Katie Worley and Nicholas Schell) to explore an Egyptian ruin called Hamunaptra.

O’Conner and the two Kensingtons must fight off reincarnated queen Oxymoron (Julia Goretsky), who has returned in the body of a mannequin, and Oxymoron’s former lover, Impotent (John Keating), her “Mummy Dearest.”

Through songs and one-liner-laced dialogue, the two parties fight for control of the city’s secrets and power.

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Stealing the show is Chuck McLane as Lurp, the henchman hired by Hakeem and Oxymoron to act as the muscle. Lurp is one step away from having his dim-witted lamp going out completely.

McLane is hilarious as the inept shlub, and shines even more when his testosterone is drained by Impotent.

The cast is rounded out by the adorable Eleise Moore as Amidallah, a ninja-dressed member of an ancient clan that has protected Impotent’s tomb for all of time.

Her slight build contrasts the intensity of her brutishness as she beats up and bullies everyone around her.

Beck takes cluelessness to a new level as the hero, while Goretsky and Keating play the villains Oxymoron and Impotent with a reckless abandon that provides great comic effect.

Song parodies with additional lyrics by Hoit and Jordan Richardson include new lyrics to a couple of songs by ABBA, as well as the classic “Call Me Irresponsible” and a show stopper led by Keating — a take on Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

The play ends with a rousing rock ’n ’roll medley.

Everyone in the cast is fun to watch, had serviceable singing voices and handled the choreography by Hoit and PCPA’s Michael Jenkinson with ease.

The piano accompaniment by Jordan Richardson was superb and the pace was good.

The production design by Gary Adams and scenic art by Steven Taylor were both well done.

It was also fun to interact with the cast as they seated the audience, then served them in the snack bar during the intermissions.

“Mummy Dearest” was followed by a vaudeville revue paying tribute to the 1950s with “Swingin’ at the Soda Shoppe.”

The highlight of the cute visit to the past was once led by Keating — with the cast right in step — on a take of Louie Prima’s classic “Just a Gigolo/Ain’t Got Nobody.”

Beck also handled the emcee duties with ease throughout the night.

“Mummy Dearest” is fine for all ages, although there were a couple innuendoes that most likely raced right over children’s heads.

My first visit to the Melodrama is now under my belt, and I can’t wait for the next.

BOX OFFICE:

— “Mummy Dearest” runs at the Great American Melodrama through Nov. 9. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 6 p.m. on Sundays. A 2 p.m. show will replace the 7 p.m. performance Thursday, Oct. 23.

— Tickets cost $16 and $19 for adults, $14 and $17 for seniors, students and military, and $12 and $15 for children 12 and younger.

— For information, call 489-2499 or visit www.american melodrama.com.

Staff writer Brad Memberto can be reached at 737-1055 or by e-mail at bmemberto@santamariatimes.com.