T.O. HIGH SCHOOL TURNS TO STAR POWER FOR BENEFIT : THE FACTS.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

The game plan was simple: The Thousand Oaks High School Football Booster Club figured it could raise some money by showcasing school talent.

Then the club added some razzle-dazzle. Comedian Bruce Baum agreed to perform at the event. His son plays on the Lancer football team, and his daughter runs track and plays basketball at the high school.

Then Baum persuaded fellow comedian and sitcom star Drew Carey to join in the first LancerPalooza, scheduled for Oct. 6 at the 1,800-seat Probst Center for the Performing Arts.

``He liked the idea of what it was doing,'' Baum said. ``He said `Yes,' and I didn't have to grovel.''

Thousand Oaks High School joins a growing list of schools that have turned to big names to raise money for everything from sports uniforms to library books. At Agoura High School, author Ray Bradbury visits twice a year to boost book funding. About two years ago, musician Eddie Money put on a show for his kid's school, Westlake Hills Elementary.

It may seem like fund-raising has come a long way from bake sales, but parents and their athlete children still head to local gas stations for weekend car washes.

The parents say getting high-profile performers into the act isn't necessary - it's just fun.

``A lot of times, it's the parents who are the ones who pay. They buy 10 boxes of candy and then try to slough it off on relatives and their friends,'' said Lenny Ciufo, a Thousand Oaks High Booster Club member who has helped organize the event. ``We thought we'd let the parents get some enjoyment out of it for a change.''

Principal Jo-Ann Yoos said plans for the show simply fell into place through parents in the entertainment industry.

``People have connections, and they start saying, `Hey, I think I can get someone,' '' Yoos said. ``I don't think the stakes have gone up to have someone. But you do have to have a headliner if you're going to charge $15 to $35 a ticket.''

The stakes are high, however, for the sports teams, needing to finance such things as travel to games and uniforms, Yoos said. School budgets no longer have money for such expenses, she said.

``Booster clubs provide a safety net. They help finance a lot of things that go on,'' Yoos said.

The only pressure boosters talk about is the need to cover the club's own costs. They have paid the cost to use the Civic Arts Plaza. Headliner Carey and all other performers are donating their time to raise money for the school.

Expecting a hit, the football boosters have offered to contribute some of the earnings to other high school clubs. If ticket buyers want some of the money to help finance band activities, for example, they merely write that on the ticket stubs, Ciufo said.

``Everyone can get a share of it, so it's really totally going to the high school,'' Ciufo said.

In addition to Carey and Baum, the LancerPalooza will feature student and alumni musical groups, including Andromeda and Urban Outrage, the Tangent Improvisational Troupe and Tom Casey and the BluesCats. Bill Engvall of ``The Jeff Foxworthy Show'' also has agreed to appear.

The school's award-winning drummers will perform with the band in a surround-sound performance meant to impress, Baum said.

``We're trying to make it very professional,'' Baum said. ``We don't want people to say `That was a great high school production.' We want them to say `That was a great production.' ''

Lest the audience be left out, a rendition of ``Be True to Your School'' is planned - with Drew Carey leading the way on the accordion.

WHAT: LancerPalooza, starring comedian Drew Carey, Bruce Baum and friends, Tangent Improve Comedy Group, Andromeda, Thousand Oaks High School alumni and students.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6.

WHERE: Probst Center, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

COST: $15 to $35.

INFORMATION: [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) CAREY

(2) BAUM