The Conejo Players got their 2001 season off to a good start with a superb performance of "The Last Night of Ballyhoo."

The show combines comedy and drama to give a slice-of-life look at an Atlanta Jewish society family in 1939, when the news of the day was the premiere of "Gone With the Wind" and Hitler’s invasion of Poland.

But the most important goal of this family is maintaining its social status and having the "right" men to escort the young ladies to the last night of Ballyhoo, an annual social event in the Atlanta Jewish society.

Under the detailed direction of Jere Rae-Mansfield, each member of the cast gives a convincing and revealing portrayal of their characters

The 1997 Tony Award winning play, written by Pulitzer prizewinner Alfred Uhry (who also wrote "Driving Miss Daisy") is a complex, multi-layered work, which explores social hierarchy and acceptance, even within the same faith.

The family has distanced itself from its religion, so much so that family members put down the "other kind" of Jews that have a stronger faith and ethnic background.

Comprising the family are several interesting characters, all well defined by the actors who portray them. Lala Levy (Beth Follert) is excited by the upcoming Ballyhoo event, while her widowed mother, Boo Levy (Lady Jan Faulkner) only wants someone with the "right bloodlines" to escort her daughter to the dance. Living with them is Boo’s brother, Adolph Freitag (Scott Mansfield), a patriarchal voice of wisdom, and Adolph’s widowed sister-in-law, Reba (Christine Scholle), and her studious daughter, Sunny (Kiah Gordon).

Enter Joe Farkas (David Silverstein), a religious New York Jew whom Adolph has employed, to shake up their lives by falling for Sunny, to Lala’s dismay.

Follert is excellent as Lala, using effective expressions and postures to illustrate her feelings of jealousy. In keeping with the theme of the play, Lala is envious of Sunny because "(God) didn’t give you one Jewish feature."

Gordon gives a strong portrayal of Sunny, especially when she emotionally tells Joe about a time in her childhood when she was kicked out of a country club swimming pool because she was Jewish.

Faulkner gives a polished performance as Boo, whom Adolph dubs the "Jewish Tallulah Bankhead." Scholle is comical and convincing as Reba. Mansfield is excellent as the understated Adolph.

Silverstein plays Joe with conviction. Actor Michael Muser’s comedic flair comes across well in his portrayal of Peachy Weil, Lala’s oafish boyfriend.

The show is poignant and funny, as well as biting and serious. Although the show starts out a little slow, the superb acting and thought-provoking storyline make for a satisfying theatrical experience, which is definitely worth seeing.

"The Last Night of Ballyhoo" will play at the Conejo Players Theater until Feb. 10, with 8 p.m. performances on Thursdays through Saturdays.

The theater is at 351 S. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks. For information or reservations, call (805) 495-3715.