Idaho Smith and the Drinking Fountain of Youth, by James Scarborough

A goof of a spoof guaranteed to raise the roof, “Idaho Smith and the Drinking Fountain of Youth,” directed by Ken Parks, written by Jeremy Carter for the All American Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall, offers a lyrical mix of gags, parodies, topical and spontaneous local references and, let’s be honest, an opportunity to indulge ourselves.

It starts with the premise of the Indiana Jones movies. A handsome, intrepid explorer, Idaho Smith (Kevin Kem), seeks a youth-restoring drinking fountain. The story’s set in Shanghai and quickly heads south – or else off the compass – into regions populated with the likes of the Marx Brothers and Abbott & Costello. Parks presents a production that squashes the mellow in melodrama with platters full of raucous fun and uberpleasant entertainment.

Idaho’s travels lead him to the source of the wondrous Drinking Fountain of Youth: the bowels of a department store owned by Lo Chin (Parks). Alas for Lo, it’s not a simple matter of Lo and Behold, as he doesn’t know the fountain’s precise location; fortunately, though, he tricks Idaho in finding it in return for a reunion with his long-lost love, Frilly Snott (Emily Pessano), a saloon singer in the employ of Lo and, against her will, his fiancée. Lo’s son, Thug (Paul Villano) has issues with his imperious father, which complicates, hilariously, the search.

Kem’s Idaho offers a study in cartoony resolution amidst obstacles planted by Lo to safeguard the fountain. He vividly captures the preening hero’s grit and determination while at the same time putting into serious doubt his ability to return the fountain to the States, win the heroine, and, in short, save the day. Parks’ portrayal of his arch-nemesis Lo is a cross between Mel Brooks and a gong player in a Charlie Chan movie. He’s dastardly – that’s a given – but he speaks with a German accent, is weaker than a twig, tells awful jokes and, in all respects, is as Chinese as Chop Suey. Villano’s Thug is as much fun to watch as he is to hear. As the frustrated son who craves the love of his successful though aloof businessman father, his facial expressions and his fidgety gestures are the stuff of silent films as well as melodramas. And the finest work of this fine cast is Pessano’s interpretation of the heroine Frilly. She’s gimlet-eyed, not a little captivating, down-and-dirty funny, and holds center stage not because she’s the only female but because, relatively speaking, she is grounded while all around her spin out of outrageous control.

The Theatre’s productions always include olios (a short vaudeville revue that follows the production) and this one, “Safari So Good” is a gobsmacker. Parks reincarnation of Groucho Marx in his renditions of “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” and “Hooray for Captain Spaulding” is worth the price of admission.

Performances are 7:30 pm, Fri. & Sat, 4:30 pm, Sat., and 7 pm Sun. The show runs until March 5. Tickets are $14-20. The Theatre is located at 429 Shoreline Village Drive. For more information call 495-5900 or visit www.allamericanmelodrama.com.