Victoria Mallory's not-so little girl

Eivand Harum (left), Ramona and Victoria Mallory and Kurt Peterson. Victoria and Kurt were in the 1968 revival of "West Side Story" on Broadway.

My friend Billy Kendall sent me a page from Playbill. I was surprised to see that Ramona Mallory is going to be in "The Fantasticks" Off-Broadway beginning March 30.

Ramona who?

Well, her mother, Victoria Mallory, was in the original cast of "The Young and the Restless" and made her mark on Broadway, opening in shows like "A Little Night Music" and starring as Maria in the first revival of "West Side Story."

Vicky Morales, as she was known growing up in Columbus, was often seen on the Springer Opera House stage either as an actor or dancer. Back in those days, so was Billy.

When Victoria got married and had Ramona, she sort of retired, becoming a mommy full-time. During the summers, she would do summer stock and would appear in the Theater of the Stars productions in Atlanta's Fox Theatre. I first met her when she starred in, oh, maybe "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"? Or maybe it was "The Sound of Music." Anyway, it was so long ago that I can't remember the musical.

Later, for the Springer's big anniversary party, she was one of the former Springer stars who performed.

Again, I can't rememer exactly what year that was. I do know it was before the Springer closed for its renovation. So it was before 1997?

Anyway, it was around that time that I was talking to Victoria, who was laughing that she's become a stage mother. Her own mother, Ruby Morales, a Columbus Realtor, was the one who used to drive Vicky around to rehearsals and performances. Now, it was her turn to do the same with Ramona.

I had no idea that Ramona was interested in becoming a full-time actor. But I shouldn't be surprised. Both parents are actors and singers.

Ramona will be playing Luisa opposite Jonathan Schwartz, who will play Matt. Bradley Dean is goingto be El Gallo, with Douglas Ullman Jr. will play the Mute.

"The Fantasticks" is the world's longest-running musical. I played more than 17,000 performances in Greenwich Village. It originally opened in 1960 and closed in 2002.

In case you don't know the story, it's about a boy and a girl who fall in love, but have to deal with feuding fathers. Probably the most famous song from the show is "Try to Remember."

If you're going to New York any time soon, the play will be in the Snapple Theater Center, 210 W. 50th St. For tickets, call 212-307-4100.

This story was originally published March 24, 2009 at 4:07 PM with the headline "Victoria Mallory's not-so little girl."