THEATER THRIVES ON LUCK AFTER FACING ADVERSITY : THE FACTS.

Byline: Patricia Hesselbach Special to the Daily News

Serendipity played a considerable role in the progression of firsts for the Cabrillo Music Theatre.

A sure sign was when well-known stage actress Dale Kristien attended a performance of ``Peter Pan.'' Impressed by the production's scope and quality, Kristien agreed to star in the first show of the company's second full season at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

``The King and I'' was met with resounding applause and gained accolades that set the tone for future productions inside the Civic Arts Plaza - the company's new home.

``Finally, I feel like it's gonna float. It's launched and it's on its way,'' said Cheryl Mastrovito, who has produced and performed for the company with husband Ray since 1988.

She noted, however, that a great deal of community support still is needed if Cabrillo Music Theatre is to keep producing quality shows. ``We need to focus on subscription sales and marketing and the things that help a company grow, instead of being just a production company,'' she said.

Cabrillo Music Theatre has exhibited as much creative flair offstage as on stage.

Clever marketing campaigns have added extra flavor to productions. Patrons donning cowboy hats for performances of ``The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'' were handed dollar bills upon entering the ``house.'' The company joined with local libraries in a literacy program during the run of another show. Children were encouraged to read books in the special program, which received a commendation from Barbara Bush.

Children also participated in a coloring contest for the more recent performances of ``Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.'' A coat collection brought warmth to the needy and positive attention to the show.

The 1997-98 season will mark the 30th anniversary of Cabrillo Music Theatre. ``South Pacific'' - the first show presented when the company began in 1968 - will be followed by ``My Fair Lady'' and ``Bye-Bye Birdie.''

Tonight, Cabrillo Music Theatre opens ``Oklahoma'' - the show that first brought together the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

The ``new'' Cabrillo Music Theatre represents a reawakening. The fledgling company is enjoying a series of firsts in its most recent incarnation.

Cabrillo Music Theatre was founded by a husband-and-wife team that pooled their talents and presented shows at the Oxnard Civic Auditorium. Marla Lysova and Lawrence J. Parker combined her ballet company and his orchestra. Their union resulted in the birth of large-scale, high-quality, fully produced theater for Ventura County.

Despite several decades of often difficult financial situations, Cabrillo Music Theatre has prevailed. A steadfast board of directors and a committed corps of volunteers have seen the group through numerous theater homes, at least one lengthy hiatus, and a two-year hibernation period that led to a reassessment and subsequent reorganization of the company.

During the 1988-89 season, costs associated with presenting musicals at Oxnard Civic Auditorium became too great. The theater group decided to cut back by utilizing the less costly Dorill B. Wright Cultural Center in Port Hueneme.

When the center closed, the company faced an uncertain future. A small, albeit dedicated, board of directors retreated to consider the possibilities.

``We asked ourselves whether we wanted to go back and scale down and perform in high schools,'' said current executive director, Cheryl Mastrovito. On cue, a glimmer of a new dawning for the company came in a casual remark about Thousand Oaks made by Cabrillo orchestra conductor Dave Pier.

``He said, `I think they're building a new theater up there. What about seeing if we can perform at this new venue?' '' said Mastrovito.

Over the six months that followed, Cabrillo board members assembled and prepared a proposal and video for presentation before Thousand Oaks city officials.

Although some members of the city's selection committee were impressed with the quality of Cabrillo productions, the company was not offered resident musical theater company status. The shaky financial history worked against them.

The first big break came when the professional company that had been contracted to bring musical theater to the Civic Arts Plaza Probst Auditorium canceled its scheduled runs.

Cabrillo Music Theatre filled the vacant dates, and a good portion of the house, for the first full-on musical ever performed in the Probst Auditorium. ``The Music Man'' elicited strong positive response from the local community and proved the revived company worthy of future Civic Arts Plaza appearances.

WHAT: ``Oklahoma''

WHERE: Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with weekend matinees at 2 p.m. Performances run through March 16.

COST: $18 to $28, available at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office or by calling TicketMaster, [phone]. Groups of 12 or more, contact Debbie Johannsen at [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

Photo: (1--Color) Performers for the Cabrillo Music Theatre dance during rehearsals for the group's production of ``Oklahoma.''

(2--Color) The Cabrillo Music Theatre celebrates its 30th anniversary with the 1997-98 season.

(3) ``Oklahoma'' cast members rehearse the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical for tonight's opening at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

David Sprague/Daily News