El Portal milestone

I learn from producer/publicist David Elzer that the '50s prom musical "The Marvellous Wonderettes" (not to be confused with "The Wonderful Marvelettes") has become the longest running production in the history of NoHo's El Portal Theatre, surpassing the 12 weeks that "Cesar and Ruben" played on the El Portal's mainstage and that "Fellowship" played in the El Portal's smaller Forum Theatre.

"Wonderettes," currently playing in the Forum space, is entering its 16th week, and is currently scheduled to run through Feb. 11.

The "Wonderettes" milestone_ and accompanying sell-out houses _ is encouraging on a number of fronts. Confound it, there needs to be a steady parade of people through the heart of NoHo and that venue in particular, "Wonderettes" or no "Wonderettes."

Now, a body could easily say "Yeah, yeah, someone stuck a decent product in there, it caught on, and they sold tickets. Could have happened anywhere."

True enough. Still...

I'm especially glad that success is happening at the El Portal, a venue which has not always been the site of the city's finest theatrical offerings. Put another way: some of the worst theatrical slop I've ever witnessed has started, and ended, at 5269 Lankershim Blvd. Since re-opening in 2000 as a live performance venue, the E.P. has had money problems, accoustic problems, administrative shake-ups, you name it. Attempts to get regular quality programing at the site have been hit and miss at best.

But times appear to be changing.

"Beehive," the first offering of the new resident company, Valley Musical Theatre, was a kick, and VMT has a small scale season coming in 2007, beginning with "They're Playing Our Song" February 23. (www.Valleymusicaltheatre.com)

The venue has hosted visits from folks like Bea Arthur, Jason Robert Brown and Rita McKenzie. Vox Lumiere is also coming in with its unique musicalizing of the silent film "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." (More highlights are available at www.elportaltheatre.com.)

For now, they've got the "Wonderettes," about which I'll wax critical in Friday's Daily News.

Meantime, here's wishing even bigger and longer running hits at the E.P. for 2007. The venue needs it. As does the Valley.