24 Luminaries to Get Passes to Arts Plaza Gala : Thousand Oaks: Every living President is on the list, as are city, state and federal politicians. All others will have to cough up $100.

Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter will get free tickets. So will George Bush, Dianne Feinstein and Pete Wilson.

But should Tom Selleck, Sylvester Stallone or Sophia Loren want to attend the black-tie grand opening of Thousand Oaks’ Civic Arts Plaza next fall, they will have to cough up $100 apiece.

Determined to fashion a splashy, star-studded evening, residents organizing the Civic Arts Plaza fiesta have singled out 24 luminaries to receive free tickets. Every living President is on the list, as are city, state and federal politicians.

Other dignitaries--including the dozens of celebrities who live near Thousand Oaks--will receive special invitations, but no complimentary passes.

Because the grand opening will take place just a few weeks before national elections, organizers figure they have a fair shot at luring some big-name politicians, who may be eager to hobnob with 1,800 well-heeled voters.

Attracting--or at the very least, inviting--stars from the political and cultural worlds “makes a statement about what we think this theater means to the city, the county and the region,” said Everett Ascher, director of the Conejo Symphony.

“This should be the most important theater between San Francisco and Los Angeles,” he added.

The City Council will review the VIP lists Tuesday during a meeting crammed with decisions about the grand opening celebration scheduled for Oct. 21 and 22.

Foremost on the agenda will be consideration of a contract with Broadway performer Bernadette Peters, a singer and actress known for her eclectic, high-energy shows.

Peters has agreed to perform hourlong shows Friday and Saturday nights, appearing after the Conejo Symphony and local choirs present Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”

The contract up for council approval Tuesday calls for Peters to receive $60,000--and considerable star treatment.

Like a two-bedroom suite plus eight single rooms with king-sized beds at the Westlake Hyatt Hotel. A dressing room stocked with six full-sized white bath towels, six bottles of premium beer, one gallon of spring water and one bottle of vintage California Chardonnay. An expense account of $5,000. And “adequate soap” for backstage bathing.

“I guess stars have their idiosyncrasies, just like anyone else,” Councilman Frank Schillo said, chuckling at the contract’s detailed demands. “If it were me, I’d request six cans of Tab back there instead of the beer.”

In addition to the contract, council members will vote on nine other issues relating to the Civic Arts Plaza.

Among the issues, council members will approve the theme for the grand opening: “An Evening Under the Stars.” They will weigh spending $106,000 on concert pianos. They will also consider plans for a children’s art show during the grand opening weekend, featuring a sculpture of a lion made from recycled cans.

Once those details are settled, grand opening organizers will turn to the community to build excitement and support.

Sales of commemorative pins bearing the Civic Arts Plaza logo will begin soon. For $150, boosters will be able to buy turquoise and purple banners advertising the grand opening. The banners will hang from street lights starting this summer, and sponsors will be able to retrieve them after the festivities.

More than 250 residents have been working on the grand opening. Most feel certain they will attract sell-out audiences to both shows, plus a large crowd for the Sunday afternoon open house. Local officials--even critics--agree.

“I feel sure the community will turn out for this, regardless of any misgivings about the architecture,” Mayor Elois Zeanah said. “It’s the only cultural center we’re ever going to have.”