It’s Show Time for Reseda High’s Stage

The Reseda High School auditorium, vacant since the 1994 Northridge earthquake, will reopen Saturday with a one-time-only show put on by students and teachers.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for three years,” said junior Jesse Simmons at a recent rehearsal. Jesse, who enrolled at Reseda in 1995, is the show’s stage technician.

The event, which features Broadway and Hollywood musicals, is titled “Reseda: Steppin’ Out.”

But senior Jennifer Monestime said a more appropriate title could be one of the show’s song and dance numbers, “We Go Together,” from the musical “Grease.”

“The song does match the theme in that Reseda students and the surrounding community did come together as a result of the devastating earthquake four years ago,” said dancer Monestime, the show’s assistant choreographer.

At a cost of nearly $1 million with grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the renovated 1,250-seat auditorium has such features as cushioned cloth-covered seats, wood floors and a new stage, said Rick Rossini, assistant vice principal.

The floor, ceiling and walls have also been structurally reinforced to withstand future earthquakes, he said.

“This is the finest high school auditorium in the Valley,” Rossini said.

Construction was completed by the Frederick Towers Inc. of Tujunga, which took over for Novax Construction after the Encino-based company went bankrupt.

Saturday’s show begins at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium, 18230 Kittridge St.

A number of dignitaries, including U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), state Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) and county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, are expected to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the show.

Admission is free, but reservations are required.

For reservations and other information, contact Rossini at (818) 342-6186, Ext. 213.