NO THEATER? NO PROBLEM CLASS PERSISTS TO PUT ON MUSICAL.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - The cast, crew and directors of Golden Valley High School's production of ``The Sound of Music'' have definitely climbed every mountain to put on their first musical.

The school's theater was supposed to be ready in August when the new school opened. It still isn't. The drama classroom, also promised last summer, wasn't finished until after winter break. The class moved in three weeks into the new semester and two weeks into rehearsals for the show.

Just where they would perform was up in the air until April 1, when school district officials arranged for the performers to use the Vital Express theater at College of the Canyons, negotiating a bare-bones fee of $2,300 for the three-show schedule.

``We heard two weeks ago that it was a go,'' said Jamie Pruscha, drama instructor and director of the musical. ``We couldn't even advertise.''

Despite the hurdles and roadblocks, the company of can-do students and staff has a show. The orchestra, led by Golden Valley's music instructor, Amy Smith, played in the hallway of a classroom building to accompany the actors rehearsing in the drama classroom, where the set of the von Trapp mansion filled almost an entire wall. Singers followed a spotlight they've never seen and hit marks they can only hope are right.

Maria's transformation from novitiate to matriarch suits first-time actress Cassie Gaskin well. She's enjoying the responsibility of not only being a lead character, but also the teamwork it takes to put on the show.

``I love this show. It's amazing,'' she said. ``I love being a mother figure. It's amazing how all the interactions work between characters, to sing and act and move at the same time. It's hard to do, but it's fun.''

Matt McClenahan, as Captain von Trapp, is a recent recruit to the stage, but admits to being completely smitten with acting.

``This all started because a friend wanted me to try out with her. She told me I probably wouldn't get a part. When I called my mom to tell her I got the captain part, she started screaming,'' he said. ``I had never seen the movie before and didn't know who the captain was. My favorite part is getting to be something completely opposite of what I am. And I definitely want to do this again.''

Francesca Riso, who plays Mother Abbess, washed off the Goth makeup she prefers for day wear with a little protest for her stage debut. Fresh- faced and in tune, she sang with Gaskin about raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, stealing a quick look at Pruscha to make sure she was on cue.

``I've done theater since I was little with church groups and companies in L.A.,'' said Riso, who also sings with the school's women's chorus. ``The Mother Abbess was actually a part I didn't want, but this is acting and it's great I got a leading role that lets me be a totally different person.''

Pruscha, a graduate of Canyon High, jumped at the chance to start a drama program at Golden Valley.

``It's so exciting, getting to do all the new things,'' she said, walking visitors into the shell of what will be the school's 600-seat theater. ``To be able to be here for the first everything, to develop the program, it's so exciting. And I know someday we will look back on this'' - referring to the makeshift production space - ``and laugh.

``These kids are getting hands-on experience. It's great watching them learn. We're not theory here, we do everything; everyone paints, everyone staples.''

Pruscha and her students produced tickets, programs, costumes and props themselves, sometimes learning to sew or build as they went along.

``My brother is a contractor, so he helped build the sets. Everything you see came from the community or favors I've called in all over town,'' she said.

Along with Gaskin, McClenahan and Riso, the cast also features Julian James as Max Detweiler, Amanda Hubbell as Elsa Schraeder and Trevor Khar as Rolf. The von Trapp children are played by Mandee Pro, Andres Castrellon, Nicole Ross, Will Mercer, Sierra Plush, Lauren Nivon and Devon Wilczynski. Sister Berthe is Katie Walsh, Sister Margaretta is Katrina Blanchard and Sister Sophia is Stephanie Winger. Zach Anderson plays Franz and Paige Carroll is Frau Schmidt. The ensemble includes Susana Garcia, Graham Walker, Heloise Abtahi, Christos Mabrakis and Laura Pearce. Lauren Turich is stage managing, assisted by Jocelyn Turcott.

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

Golden Valley High School's first musical, ``The Sound of Music,'' plays at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24, at the Vital Express theater at College of the Canyons, 26455 N. Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia. Tickets are $10 and available by calling [phone], Ext. 1616, as well as at the door.

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Photo:

Cassie Gaskin, right, plays Maria and Matt McClenahan, left, plays Capt. von Trapp in the Golden Valley High production of ``The Sound of Music,'' which will be at the Vital Express theater.

David Crane/Staff Photographer

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IF YOU GO (see text)