THEATER : NOTES : VENTURA COUNTY WEEKEND : Elves Take On Villains at Melodrama : Even the reindeer get roles in ‘The Search for Santa’s Sleigh.’ But racial stereotypes detract.

Christmas is coming and Santa Claus’ sleigh has been stolen. Who will come to the rescue? This sounds like a job for that fearless archeologist and historian, Moorpark Jones.

It’s only December, but the Moorpark Melodrama has already opened its 1996 season. First up is one of several new shows written especially for the Melodrama, “Moorpark Jones and the Search for Santa’s Sleigh.”

The script, by Melodrama veterans Elaine and Darren Raleigh, brings together elements of old-time adventure films, pulp mysteries (and the Indiana Jones series that emulates them) and the holiday genre. The script pokes fun at political correctness while indulging in racial stereotypes that might cause anyone but Howard Stern to blush.

Joe Sanfilippo plays Jones, assisted through most of the adventure by one of Santa’s elves, Holly (Gina Jaxx). Chief among the villains are dastardly Charles Benetton (Don Romps) and--in a number of slinky gowns--Lacy Neglashay (Sara Wilkey, who also choreographed).

Santa (Chris Carnicelli) and Mrs. Claus (Susan Burns) are assisted by Holly and other elves, including Emmy (Amy Mills) and Oscar (Jennifer L. Anderson), with help from Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer (Brooke Moffat).

Santa has enlisted two new reindeer, Slacker (Brian Pierce) and Slasher (Chuck Belgard), who engage in what’s becoming a Melodrama Christmas show tradition, the Reindeer Rap. He’d do well to keep an eye on them.

The action shifts to a Hong Kong waterfront dive hosted by Mother Scrumpy (Amy Mills) and occupied by denizens including Frenchy (John Lordan, who plays several roles), smooth Lo Fat (Carnicelli, again), the Dragon Lady (Burns, again), and her two henchmen.

The Chinese come in for most of the racial stereotyping, a la Charlie Chan. One of the henchmen, for instance, wears Coke bottle eyeglasses and affects a stooped, submissive walk that hasn’t been acceptable since World War II propaganda films.

Many of the jokes work well, while others, typical of the Melodrama, are simply groaners. On the plus side, the singing is some of the best heard at the Melodrama, with Jaxx belting out the tunes.

Elaine Raleigh directed the show, and Melodrama stalwart Tim King is the musical director and resident keyboardist. Recasting of a couple of familiar holiday songs into minor keys gives them a whole new dimension.

* “Camarillo Jones and the Search for Santa’s Sleigh” runs through Dec. 23 at the Magnificent Moorpark Melodrama & Vaudeville Company, 45 E. High St., Moorpark. Performances are 7 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets for all performances are $12. For reservations or further information, call 529-1212.

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Dueling Scrooges: Two stage adaptations of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will run, almost concurrently, in Ventura County. The Simi Valley-based Soap Box Players hit the stage first, Friday night at the new Cultural Arts Center. Their adaptation is by Kevin Lima, whose day job is as an animation director for Disney. “A Goofy Movie” and the upcoming “Tarzan” are among his credits.

Barry Cutler, best-known as a regular performer on the soap “Days of Our Lives” stars as Scrooge, a role he’s played several times in the past. Call 581-2174 for further information.

Next week, the Santa Susana Repertory Company opens its more traditional version at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Forum Theatre. Written by George T. Mitchell, this version debuted in 1989 and pops up locally most holiday seasons.

Eric Christmas plays Scrooge. In addition to having played the role for Santa Susana for several years, he’s recently appeared on “Seinfeld,” “Murphy Brown,” “ Wings,” “L.A. Law” (OK, not so recently) and “Cheers.” For further information, call 497-8616. Both productions close Dec. 23.

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Casting Call: Auditions will be held Dec. 9 and 10, for Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” All parts are open, including two children, ages 9-14. Rehearsals will begin Jan. 22, with performances at the Ojai Arts Center beginning March 15. For an audition appointment, phone director Seth Oserin 647-2292 or producer Al Moresco at 646-2514.