Moorpark boys and girls alike are going to boot camp in Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues,” the classic wartime comedy, coming to the main stage Oct. 18 and running until Nov. 4.

For some of those involved, it will be the first time taking center stage, while for others they will be returning for the first time in a while.

Kristopher Dowling, who plays the part of Donald Carney, will be rejoining the stage for the first time in years.

Keegan Guy, an avid Comedy Club student here at Moorpark will be appearing on the main stage for his very first time.

The cast includes both young men and women from Moorpark’s theatre department. For Biloxi’s purpose, however, the numbers are slightly slanted with more men involved than women.

Amber Goode, who plays the part of Daisy Hannigan, feels that it is fun to work with such a large number of guys in contrast to the number of girls.

“It’s interesting,” said Goode. “They are entertaining.”

The women of Biloxi Blues, however, are not the only ones excited for the cast they will be working with.

Jeff Rivetti, another member to Moorpark’s Comedy Club, is playing the notebook-bound spectator, and lead, Eugene Morris Jerome. Rivetti particularly enjoys working with the guys in the cast, something fellow Improv-player, Guy, only agrees to.

“We always have a good time together,” elaborates Guy.

Rivetti, among others explained their hopes for the show.

“I am really looking forward to the first audiences reaction and seeing peoples reaction to the first show,” elaborates Rivetti.

John Loprieno, the director of the play himself had a few words to share as well.

“People are going to come to the show and laugh and have a good time and be pleasantly surprised that it is both funny and touching,” said Loprieno.

Biloxi women, Grace Liner and Taylor Naud, who share the part of Rowena, enjoy the process of being double casted simply because they get to learn from one another.

Liner explains that the part of Rowena is not very defined, a feature that makes her character challenging, but exciting to play.

Liner, as a theatre major, is heavily involved in the Theatre department here at Moorpark.

“I love it, it is my life,” says Liner.

Nikelson Letham, who shares the part of Sergeant Toomey with former Military man, Carlos Lopez, particularly likes playing such an in-depth character.

“He is a very challenging character to play for various reasons,” Letham said. “He is very dynamic and has deepening motivations.”

Lopez also explains the benefits of being double casted.

“It’s nice because I can’t always be there,” explains Lopez who is on the TV show Operation Repo.

“We take notes for each other, and let each other know if anything with blocking or anything else changed,” elaborates Lopez

Lopez, being a former Military man explains the benefits in that alone.

“It’s always good to have a mentor,” explaining that he will often aid people in telling them how to walk and talk the way real military-affiliated people do.

For a wide array of show times and specific pricing options visit Moorpark College’s performing arts website:

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_students/performing_arts/index.shtml.