AVC FROSH STARS IN `BLUES' : SIMON PLAY SET FOR RUN.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

A stage veteran at age 18, Joaquin Alvarez nevertheless admits to having the jitters about his role in Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical ``Biloxi Blues.''

``This is my first major lead. It's really scary,'' Alvarez said. ``For one, there's a lot of lines. Just being out there in front of 758 people and being the focus of attention, if I mess up, everyone's focus is right on me.''

An Antelope Valley College theater major who has been appearing in theater productions since second grade, Alvarez plays Eugene Jerome, who writes about members of his platoon and rigors of life in a World War II boot camp, based on Simon's own experiences as a young man.

The second part of a semi-autobiographical trilogy, the award-winning comedy will be presented by the Cedar Street Theatre at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center.

``I've directed Neil Simon's plays in the past. We did (Simon's) `Lost in Yonkers' last year and sold out every night,'' director Michael Duncan said. ``We decided to go with `Biloxi Blues' because of Simon's appeal. It's a good show, and I think people will enjoy it.''

The play runs at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W. Lancaster Blvd. Tickets cost $12. For more information, call [phone].

Simon's ``Brighton Beach Memoirs'' was a semi-autobiographical look at an intellectual Jewish boy growing up and was followed by two more plays in which the same hero gradually matured. The second was ``Biloxi Blues,'' followed by ``Broadway Bound.''

In ``Biloxi Blues,'' Jerome's goals are to become a writer, to not get killed and to lose his virginity, Duncan said.

``He does get all three of his wishes,'' said Duncan, who noted that there are adult situations and language in the show.

To add a little bit of authenticity to the play, Duncan brought in Air Force technical Sgt. Linda Brown to work with cast members on military commands and marching techniques.

``I wanted them to be authentic as far as movement and the way they carry themselves,'' said Duncan, a partner in an advertising firm.

The ensemble piece includes Kenn Burnett, as the tough drill instructor Sgt. Toomey, and Alvarez.

Alvarez graduated from Quartz Hill High School last year. He is a freshman at Antelope Valley College, where he is a theater major studying drama. He also works at the Performing Arts Theater as a stage assistant.

Burnett has been doing theater for four years, first attempting an audition on a dare from friends. Burnett said his character is not a bad guy, just misunderstood.

``He's doing his job. He gets new recruits in there all the time, and his main responsibility is to train them and make sure he gets the boys out of the war alive,'' said Burnett, 27, of Lancaster, who works for Antelope Valley Youth Services, an information and referral service for at-risk youths. ``He's looking at the platoon as his children, but he's stern with his children, sometimes a little too much. But he does deeply care about the platoon.''

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3 Photos

Photo: (1--color) Drill Sgt. Merwin Toomey (Kenn Burnett) orders Wykowski (James Goodell) left, and Don Carney (Bill Hincy) to do push-ups in the barracks scene of Neil Simon's ``Biloxi Blues.''

(2--color) Director Michael Duncan, front, discusses the play with the cast. The play is about an Army recruit who wants to be a writer.

(3--color) Eugene Morris Jerome (Joaquin Alvarez) falls for Daisy (Alicia Lowery).

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News