A former Seaside and Pacific Grove performer lands a spot on a legendary Bay Area show.

There’s an African proverb that goes “If you can talk you can sing. If you can walk you can dance.” That was Malinda DeRouen. Now 34, she first performed publicly at age 5 in a talent show, singing “Tomorrow” from Annie. And performance carried her far, especially during stints as a Royal Caribbean cruise ship lead vocalist. She disembarked to study theater, radio and film at CSUMB’s Cinematic Arts and Technology program. She landed roles in shows like Hair at Monterey Peninsula College and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Western Stage, and singing gigs at Cibo, Bullwacker’s and Sly McFly’s. Last year she and her family moved to Oakland, when she was hired as an understudy in San Francisco staple Beach Blanket Babylon, the longest-running musical revue ever; it celebrates 40 years – and more than 15,000 performances – noon Friday at San Francisco City Hall. DeRouen’s logged amazing numbers, too: Since October she’s gone on 86 times.

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What are some visible and popular roles you had in Monterey County?

Spamalot’s Lady of the Lake at PacRep, Roxie Hart in Chicago at Western Stage, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar – that was, like, 13 years ago, but people still remember me from that.

When you left for the Bay Area, where did you see yourself?

I actually didn’t move until I got the job with Beach Blanket Babylon. I didn’t know about [the show] until a friend in the crew told me there were auditions. Once you get in, you pretty much don’t leave. The woman in this role [Renee Lubin] has been there 27 years. It’s two shows a day sometimes, seven days a week. It’s almost impossible for someone to do that many without getting sick.

Who do you play in the show?

Glinda the Good Witch is the main character. I play Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Oprah, Michelle Obama, a blues character, a country-western girl. I come out on stage 14 times and change costume 14 times.

What’s it like backstage?

Backstage has as much choreography as onstage. It’s rehearsed, it’s specific. I get a lot of help dressing – a props person in charge of hats and wigs. There’s always someone there to help you. The hats can hurt you.

Did doing Spamalot [at PacRep] help you prepare for Beach Blanket Babylon?

Definitely. Because it’s so wacky and grand and over-exaggerated. So when I auditioned I sang [Spamalot’s] “Find Your Grail.” Beach Blanket is very presentational, Vanna White-like, a mixture of cruise ship and Monty Python’s crazy vocals.

Do you get advice from the cast?

I get advice from Tammy Nelson, the woman in the very large hats. She talks a lot about professionalism backstage – you kinda have to let things go. I was just talking to her today and she was saying, “Just get through this week,” that you can’t think: just get through this year.

Who’s being spoofed now?

I sing “Let the Sunshine In” from Hair, with a gigantic orange afro. “Ain’t Misbehavin” is not a spoof but it’s a big solo. Political figures like the Obamas, Palin, the Clintons, all set to Les Miserables. Very funny. We spoof the musical Wicked. The latest is Beyonce and her sister and [Jay-Z] in the elevator. Miley Cyrus got put in last year when she did her whole tongue thing.

What’s the energy like?

It’s so spastic, wild, very high energy, very fast, well-rehearsed. By the end of it… you got to see it. At the end you have no idea what you just saw. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever seen or performed in.

Are you involved in other projects?

Not right now. I don’t have a lot of time. My son is 3. I play guitar and play music. All my evenings are committed to Beach Blanket Babylon. And there’s not a lot of theater in the daytime.

How is living in the Bay Area working out for you all?

I think it’s pretty awesome. It was a big culture shock, coming from Seaside and Pacific Grove to Oakland. My [3-year-old] son was like, “I want to go back to Broadway” in Seaside. [Here] there’s poverty, crime, homelessness. But there’s a lot of creative outlets and activity and diverse people. I hear seven languages when I walk down my own block and it’s really fricking awesome. And you can’t beat the BART.

What brings you back into town?

I just need my Monterey fix. Acme, LouLou’s Griddle in the Middle. It’s still my home. It’s a good way to unplug.