Clean humor.

For Valley Center Playhouse owners Jody and Keith Renstrom, this is hard to come by.

Because their theater is family oriented, Renstrom said she and her husband screen each potential play before clearing it for production to make sure the content is appropriate for both young and old audiences alike. Often, however, they end up without any luck.

As a result, they decided to pull back one of their original classics, "Curses, Foiled Again," from when the playhouse first opened in the 1980s. Renstrom said this clean, wholesome, old-fashioned melodrama is one that audiences always enjoy.

Performed by a cast ranging in age from 10 to 60, the play explores the villain versus hero relationship, when a family who has fallen on hard times faces the threats of their villainous landlord. The hero saves the day when he offers to pay the rent for his love, Polly Praiseworthy, and her family.

"The music is delightful, and it's really a fun story," Renstrom said, pointing out the wholesome value of the show. "The songs are very funny, and the lyrics are delightful."

In addition to entertaining music and acting, the play also offers audience members the opportunity to do more than just watch the show. Because of the nature of the play, people also will have the chance to cheer for the hero, boo for the villain and sigh for the heroine at indicated times, which is a unique characteristic of an old-fashioned melodrama.

J. Kevin Hill, who plays villain Delvin Dastardly, said his favorite part of preparing for the show has been the process of familiarizing himself with his role -- feeling the emotions his character might experience and actually becoming the character.

Hill said he looks at acting as a more technical way of playing the childhood pastime of "pretend" that most children do when they play "cops and robbers" or "house."

The melodrama style is also fun for audiences because in the play, Hill said, the audience is left in suspense until the hero comes at the last minute to save the day.

"It's just a fun, old-fashioned musical melodrama," said director Kathy Draper. "It gives us the chance to show off our talent both dramatically and musically."

Draper said she thinks one of the main highlights of the show is "The Potato and the Bean" scene in which the daughter and young son of the family find one potato and one bean --- enough for them to have for a meal. During the scene, the children dance and show their excitement for the small token of hope they have found.

In addition to this highlight, the play has also given the actors the chance to develop unique techniques that are specific to the style of the play, she said.

"Curses, Foiled Again" originally premiered in Provo and has previously been performed at the SCERA Center for the Arts, the Valley Center Playhouse, Spanish Fork High School and several other schools in the area.

If you go:

Curses, Foiled Again

Where: Valley Center Playhouse, 780 N. 200 East, Lindon

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday through March 27

Cost: $6 for adults, $5 for students, children and seniors (65+), and $25 for families

Info: 785-1186