This classic musical comedy is currently being staged by Coast Kids Theatre, a 24-year-old youth theatre group that just got its new home at the recently renovated Star Theatre in Oceanside that is worth the trip alone with its old theatre charm still intact. But naturally you’ll want to stay around and see the show, too! The cast includes so many young talents that Director and Coast Kids founder Ann Schulz splits them up into two alternating casts (called the “Red Cast” and the “Blue Cast”), giving more of them a chance to shine in the lead roles, with about 75 actors in all.

Singing the lead in the Red Cast is Allison Easterbrooks as entertainer Reno Sweeney, her terrific voice leading her chorus of beautiful “Angels” as she belts out the fantastic Anything Goes and Blow, Gabriel, Blow numbers. She also joins Billy Crocker (Ryan Johnson) in some of the best scenes of the show, once in a duet where they praise each other for being “The Top,” and later when the two join Public Enemy #13 Moonface Martin (Kellen Bonnafoux) as the three pledge their Friendship no matter what may befall each other, both scenes featuring some hysterical choreography by Bobbi Janikas.

Other highlights are many. A great scene in which Moonface (Public Enemy #13) tries to frame up one Sir Evelyn Oakleigh (Jesse Bradley), fiancé of Billy Crocker’s love Hope Harcourt (Jennifer Timmons), by leaving the seemingly naïve Brit alone with the seductive Reno. Moonface’s nicely underplayed sense of humor is a rip throughout as he keeps wanting to handle things through his typical, but straightforward, violent means. Katie Palmer plays his beautiful, big-eyed assistant Bonnie with a cute Brooklyn accent and a knack for being able to “borrow” sailor outfits from unsuspecting (but uncomplaining) sailors. Bonnie’s no angel, but she might be considering a career move as she leads Reno’s Angels in a little Heaven Hop. Jesse Bradley is a hoot as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh who has a fascination for American slang and whose apparently straight-laced shell cracks wide open thanks to Reno. Billy and Hope share a couple of great duets as Billy tries to win her back and Hope seriously considers it. And the dog does a dog-gone great job as Mrs. Harcourt’s (Kelsey Henderson) pooch who walks obediently with Mrs. Harcourt, comes trustingly when Billy calls her over in an evil plot to shear off a makeshift beard, and who stubbornly resists when she realizes that Billy is up to no good! On the night we went, she even managed to stop him from removing the leash from her collar, resulting in a hysterical adlib as Billy had to deftly take the entire leash right out of Mrs. Harcourt’s hand (without being noticed!).

And then there’s all the dancing! Bobbi Janikas’s choreography makes great use of her talented dancers in the cast led by Reno, Reno’s Angels, and Reno’s wannabe angel Bonnie. That, some great singing, and a large, enthusiastic cast really help the ensemble nail the big scenes like Blow, Gabriel, Blow and Anything Goes.

Director and Coast Kids founder Ann Schulz’s 24 years of experience comes through to make for an excellent show in the beautiful new theatre (converted from an old movie theatre to a stage – a theatre project that she spearheaded). Her efforts to bring as many kids into the show as possible gives them vital acting experience and dancing experience that they need to get started. She also gives some of the youngest cast members bigger parts in the show including a couple of adorable extra scenes focusing just on them. It’s all a remarkable gift to our youth and to the future of local theatre.

Playing at the Star Theatre, 402 N. Coast Highway in Oceanside November 1 - 10.