GOINGS ON : Theater Community in the Area Expands : ‘West Side Story’ and ‘The Immigrant’ open tonight. Meanwhile, a new company has started up.

Tonight is a big night for the PCPA Theaterfest thespians. It marks the opening of two productions: “West Side Story” at Alan Hancock College in Santa Maria, and “The Immigrant,” at the Festival Theatre in Solvang.

Everyone knows the Romeo-Juliet derived story line to “West Side Story”--a white boy and a Puerto Rican girl fall in love in New York, amid hostilities between their respective families and friends.

“The Immigrant” centers around the true story of a Jewish man who relocates from Russia to the Christian community of Hamilton, Tex. In his new home, the man is befriended by a banker and his wife, who help him establish a produce business.

Both productions will run through Sept. 4. Tickets for both range from $11 to $17. Hancock College is located at 800 S. College Drive. The Festival Theatre is at 420 Second St. Call 922-8313 or (800) 549-PCPA.

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Speaking of theater companies, Santa Barbara has a new one.

T.H.E.C.L. will debut Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Center Stage Theater, with a performance of the 1927 comedy, “Holiday.” The show will run through Sept. 12.

Artistic Director Darryl Hickman, a longtime actor-writer-director-producer-instructor, formed T.H.E.C.L. by bringing together 70 professionals whom he taught at one time or another.

Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.50. Call 963-0408. Center Stage Theater is located on the second floor of the Paseo Nuevo shopping center, at the corner of Chapala and De La Guerra streets.

Oh, and what does T.H.E.C.L. stand for? Truth, Humor, Energy, Clarity, and Love--five characteristics of good acting, according to Hickman and others in the field.

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Buy a sofa, see some art.

The Monotype Guild of Santa Barbara--a group of 25 printmakers--is exhibiting its members’ work at the Danica House furniture store in Santa Barbara through Sept. 27. The store is located at 100 W. Micheltorena St. It is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

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Don’t forget the 12th annual Wine Festival at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and are limited to the first 800 people. Call 682-4711, ext. 308 for reservations or more information.