Storm Anderson is the directionally-challenged Chuck Wagon in the Sierra High fall production of “Westward, Whoa!”

In this 90-minute mini-musical, he plays the hero who happens along the town of Vinegar Bottle when his wagon train breaks down.

Chuck is joined by the sweet heroine, Candy Kane, as played by Chabryel Snaer.

For Storm, he’s one of six students in the intermediate Drama class of Dianna Puett, who also directs ‘Westward, Whoa!’

“Most are in the intro (to Drama) class,” she said.

Included is Snaer, who came in with no drama experience but has taken both beginning and advanced Choir. Not surprising that she and Anderson shine in the duet, “Anyone I know.”

Anderson and David Feifurek, who plays Smiling Sam Claggett, also perform the familiar “Ballad of the Hangin’ Tree.”

Chuck is accused of being the villainous ‘Snake.’

The Snake is said to be so bad, according to Sue Flay (Brianna Morales / Ali Patton), that “he’s a viper.”

But ‘Westward, Whoa!’ is mostly a comedy, with the town folks made up of a bunch of colorful characters.

Opening night at SHS Theater was standing room only on Wednesday.

Performances are Saturday (Nov. 2) at 12:30 p.m., Sunday (Nov. 3) at 12:30 p.m., and the following Saturday (Nov. 9) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 general admission and $3 for seniors and children up to age 12.

“I’m a little nervous,” said Ariana Vela, who plays Cookie. This was her first live performance since the sixth grade.

For Natasha Wilson – she portrays Juanita Fandango – this is one of many plays under her belt. She’s been involved in numerous productions at Calvary Community Church and also worked with the Stockton Civic Theater junior program, including her recent role as Margie in ‘Bye, Bye Birdie.’

Wilson’s big musical number is “El Fandango.”

Among the characters are Wild Bill Hiccup (Mikayla Bradford),  Clementine Splinters (Alicia Perry), Dusty Splinters (Drew Patton), Mother Rogers (Princess Uwakwe), Cactus Kate (Jocelyn Patane), Virginia Hamm (Diana Cruz), Glazed Hamm (Kayla Bolton), Letty (Jessica Serna), Dulcy (LaKeela Routt), Minerva Springwell (Mary Kate Catibog), Alibi Crabtree (Isabella Sierra),  Evening Star (Jasmine Joshan), and Lt. Ample Porridge (Quentin Chaves), to name a few.

The outlaw gang is made up of Straight Shooting Sam (Michael Sisk), Dallas Jones (Bridgette Walraven), and the Arizona Kid (Zach Searle). Stephanie Monarrez plays the short circuit judge.

‘Westward, Whoa!’ is a book by Tim Kelly, with music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur.

Puett said that her group had been working on this production since last August.

For more information, call Sierra High at 209-825-3198.