JAZZ BABIES-Showgirls strut their stuff during a preview of "Bugsy Malone Jr." at the Thousand Oaks Arts Festival last weekend. The show will open Sept. 30 at the Conejo Players Theatre. Community theater is a magical place that cultivates social, educational and artistic skills, according to William Thompson, a set designer who works behind the scenes at Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks.

Thompson is one of a dedicated group of volunteers supporting the young talents who will perform in the upcoming musical production "Bugsy Malone Jr."

The tongue-in-cheek tribute to the 1920s gangster will light up the Conejo Players' stage Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 4 p.m., Sept 30 through Oct 8. A special Friday night performance has been added at 7 p.m. Oct. 6.

Artfully produced by Erin Fagundes and Karen GrahamHanna, "Bugsy Malone Jr." tells the story of Fat Sam, a guy who runs one of the most popular clubs in town. Sam is in danger of being closed down by his "business rival," Dandy Dan.

Enter baby-faced Bugsy Malone, who unfortunately has also caught the eye of Sam's girlfriend, Tallulah (although Bugsy already has designs on showgirl Blousey Brown.)

Julie Milligan directs the show's swinging music, which supports dancing of the period choreographed by Arryck Adams.

Presenting a musical play with young performers is hard work, but that hasn't deterred Deidre Parmenter, who's directing all 57 actors.

She, like most of the other adults involved with children's productions at Conejo Players, has a full-time job and is raising a family, but Parmenter makes time to coach the cast because it's rewarding to see young talent develop, she said.

"It's extremely satisfying. They may as well be my own kids," Parmenter said.

Theater is a team effort. Each play starts out with nothing but raw talent and it slowly takes shape, blossoming into something everyone can be proud of.

"The theater is such a microcosm of life. We get this opportunity with each show to take a little something, nurture it and grow it into something bigger than each of us," Parmenter said.

Even those who can't sing, dance or act can participate in theatrical endeavors at Conejo Players, according to Mike McCauley, who works on props and sound design for "Bugsy Malone Jr."

The children have already learned and grown. Aside from improving their performing skills, they've learned to work as a team, not only with kids their own age, but as equals-with adults. They learn responsibility and respect, McCauley said.

Tickets to "Bugsy Malone Jr." are $8. For reservations, call the box office at (805) 495-3715.