Rip Van Winkle is a lazy man who can?t say BNoC to a drink, and has let the local money-grubbing businessman take over his assets. After falling asleep in the forest, he awakens 20 years later to find his world has changed forever.

The original short story of BRip Van Winkle,C by Washington Irving, was first released in 1819, and the popular story has had several versions presented onstage, on television and in the movies.

The Great American Melodrama in Oceano is now performing a version that was written in 1865.

There is a lot of humor in the play, but much of the story is quite serious.

The audience is given ample opportunities to boo, hiss and cheer throughout, but this sometimes slowed the pace with its interaction. However, while Act I is a bit slow, the pace does pick up nicely after intermission.

Under the leadership of Artist Director Eric Hoit, the play is aided by the outstanding cast, especially Billy Breed as Rip Van Winkle. Breed is a good character actor who handles the comedic aspects quite comfortably, but is solid in the dramatic parts, as well. He brings a lovable, impish quality to Rip in the first act, but at the same time, it is easy to understand Rip?s wife?s frustrations.

Suzy King as Rip?s wife, Gretchen, skillfully conveys the anger and frustration of a wife married to such a lazy drunkard.

Chuck McLane as Derrick Von Beekman is once again the bad guy 8 a role he has handled quite well in various productions at the Melodrama. McLane is extremely funny when he is handed a comedic part, but he plays wicked very well. Still, in all his nastiness, McLane is able to bring comedic charm to the character.

After Rip awakes from his 20-year nap, the pace quickens while he learns the fate of all the people in his life.

Gretchen is now married to Derrick, and while protecting her daughter, Meenie (played by Katie Worley), she has sacrificed her own enthusiasm for life.

As Meenie is about to be forced to marry Derrick?s ne?er-do-well nephew, Cockles, played by Casey Ross, her true love, Hendrick (John Keating) returns to save the day for all.

Keating plays his own father, Nick the Innkeeper, in Act I, and Natasha Harris plays Nick?s daughter, Sofie. Young Meenie and Hendrick are played by Spencer Doyle and Isabella Melsheimer in the first act, and are cute children actors.

The sets are good and the costume design by Rene Leatham are top-notch.

BRip Van WinkleC may not keep younger audience members riveted, but the adults in the crowd quite enjoyed the timeless classic.

BThe Staycation Vaudeville RevueC highlighted, in a very humorous way, several places in the Central Coast that tourists and locals all love to visit.

Written by Erik Stein and Musical Director Jordan Richardson, and co-directed by Stein and Andrew Beck, BStaycationC is very funny.

Standouts include McLane as Mr. Rump 8 a takeoff of The Donald playing golf. McLane is also extremely funny as the BGovernatorC Arnold Schwarzenegger. Keating is quite humorous as the rapping Morro Bay Rock.

King, Breed and Harris are a scream as a family in a Winnebago from Fresno visiting the Pismo Dunes. Harris is scary in a riotous way as the recently divorced sister to King?s outrageous character. Give Breed a silly wig 8 regardless of whether there is much hair there 8 and he is a scream.

The parody songs are fun and the choreography by Michael Jenkinson is easily handled by the cast.

As with any staycation in the Central Coast, the Great American Melodrama should be one of the stops on the list.

BOX OFFICE:

WHAT: BRip Van WinkleC and BThe Staycation Vaudeville RevueC run through Sept. 20, alternating with the already running production of BGold Fever at the Rough and ReadyC and BThe Villain?s Vaudeville Revue.C

WHEN: Performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 6 p.m. Sundays.

WHERE: Highway 1 in Oceano, 3 miles south of Pismo Beach.

HOW MUCH: Tickets cost ,17 to ,20 with discounts for groups, children, seniors and military personnel.

INFO & TICKETS: For information regarding which show is playing on a particular night, visit www.americanmelodrama .com. To purchase tickets, call 489-2499.