THINGS TO DO.

Valencia High cast performs 'Pippin'

VALENCIA - Valencia High School will present ``Pippin,'' the long-running Broadway musical comedy that takes place during the reign of Charlemagne the Great, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, with shows beginning Thursday.

The plot of ``Pippin'' centers around a group of traveling actors led by the Leading Player, who put on a play about Charlemagne's eldest son, Pippin, who is on a journey to find himself.

Determined to live a life more extraordinary than those around him, Pippin's search for self-realization leads him to follow his famous father on the battlefield. Disillusioned by the brutality that war has to offer, Pippin searches for meaning in other ventures such as women, politics, art and religion.

Unsatisfied with all that life offers him so far, Pippin finds himself at a crossroads: Should he accept the simple things in life or go out in a blaze of glory?

``Pippin'' is the creation of composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who has the Tony Award-winning hit ``Wicked'' currently running on Broadway. ``Pippin'' was originally produced in 1972, a year after ``Godspell'' had put Stephen Schwartz on the Broadway map.

Originally starring Ben Vereen as the leading player, ``Pippin'' won several Tony Awards and was the longest-running play on Broadway for its time.

The Valencia High School drama production of ``Pippin'' is directed by theater arts instructor Stephen Whelan with additional direction and choreography by Nancy Alterman and vocal direction by VHS choir director Christine Enns.

The role of Pippin will be alternated between seniors Daniel Barsky and Albert Kong. The Leading Players will be portrayed by seniors Kevin Goodman and Jamie Clark and junior Melanie Wahla.

Pippin's love interest, Catherine, will be played by senior Shannon Bouknight. King Charlemagne will be played by senior Greg Hoover; Berthe will be played by senior Jael Liko; and the wicked stepmother, Fastrada, will be junior Ashley Janusek.

``Pippin'' will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday through April 16, 6:30 p.m. April 20, and 7 p.m. April 21 and 22 in the Valencia High School Theatre, 27801 Dickason Drive, Valencia.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. For ticket information, call [phone], Ext. 528.

-Daily News

'Day at the Races' will benefit riders

PIRU - Carousel Ranch will hold a new fundraiser, ``Day At The Races,'' April 17 at Rancho Temescal in Piru.

Families will enjoy lunch from Outback Steakhouse in Valencia while watching Carousel Ranch kids, community dignitaries and local residents ride Carousel Ranch horses in nine mock races.

State Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, Santa Clarita City Councilman Bob Kellar and newscaster Rick Chambers are among those scheduled to ride a horse in a race. While the horses might not travel quickly, amusement will be provided as riders perform silly tasks in their attempts to take first place.

There will be nine fun-filled races and attendees will have the opportunity to bet on their favorite horse or jockey to win prizes. Between races, guests will enjoy cowboy activities, country fair games and a petting zoo.

Carousel Ranch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic and recreational horseback riding programs to disabled children. The program combines vaulting (gymnastics on horseback) and therapeutic riding (English and Western).

Tickets to ``Day At The Races'' are $25 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. The gates will open at 11 a.m. For information, call Carousel Ranch at [phone].

-Daily News

One-act plays still being accepted

NEWHALL - Repertory East Playhouse is holding a Playwriting Contest for writers who would like to get their work produced at the R.E.P., and possibly get published as well.

Through May 1, Repertory East Playhouse will be accepting submissions for a comedic one-act play and a dramatic one-act play, with a winner in each category. These two winners will join three other published one-acts for the theater's ``A Night of One-Act'' opening July 29.

The plays must be between 15 and 25 minutes in length, and should contain two to six characters.

``It's something I've been wanting to do for a while,'' said Craig Duswalt, the R.E.P.'s Producing Artistic Director. ``It gives a chance for two talented writers to showcase their work in a professional medium, something most writers never get to do.''

The plays will be chosen by a panel of judges, with the final decision going to Duswalt himself.

``A Night of One-Acts'' will be directed by various directors, giving each piece a different and unique feel. Accompanying the two winning plays will be ``If Men Played Cards as Women Do,'' a hilarious piece by George Kaufman; ``Death Knocks,'' a one-act written by Woody Allen; and ``The Universal Language'' by David Ives.

``A Night of One-Acts'' will run from July 29 through Aug. 27. The submissions for the contest must be postmarked no later than May 1 to be in the running. Writers should check the R.E.P.'s Web site at www.repeastplayhouse.org or call [phone] for information, contest rules and the entry form.

There is a $25 entry fee per script, per category, with $10 for each additional script, per category.

The Repertory East Playhouse is a state-of-the-art, 81-seat, equity- waiver theater on San Fernando Road and is part of the revitalization of Old Town Newhall.

-Daily News