A theatrical gesture toward of the Sixties -- the last good decade when youth still dreamed, rocked and sometimes died for a better America rather than a more self-interested. more corrupt, more stratified, more policed, more religified state we ended up with -- continues tonight at the Marysville Community Auditorium with the opening of "The Magical Mystery Tour."

The showcase of Maryville Charter Academy for the Arts talent opened last light and runs through tonight Thursday, and tomorrow, Friday.

The MMT title is taken from an LSD-inspired album (an antique music recording format that pre-dated CDs) put out by the now largely unremembered Beatles.

TMMT loosely follows the story of a group of friends as they come of age in one of the most influential and controversial decades of the 20th century: 1965-1975.

Forty acts from whole classes and individuals roll out the a pastiche of the time that were a-changing in a showcase of MCAA talent.

The coming-of-age theme of this year's academy talent showcase is, of course, hippies (all costume, no acid, no doubt; or, MIchael Spivek and All in the Family, without Ken Kesey and the bus to Further}, the Vietnam war, the establishment versus the counterculture and youth against age issue that highlighted -- at least according to network TV and the movies -- western society.

The show loosely follows the activities of a group of young friends in caught in a moment of adventure in one of the most creative
and turbulent decades, the products of which have since been stifled, silenced and waxed over by ensuining decades of increased policing, spying, fear of authority, conformity and cultural stultification.

The rich Republicans may have prevailed in the long run, but, for a few moments on a few evenings, one can reminisce about the last good time American ever had. Googa-looba-joob!

The Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts' Spring Showcase, Magical Mystery Tour plays:

Wed., May 18 - 6:30 p.m.
Thurs., May 19 - 7:30 p.m.
Fri., May 20 - 7:30 p.m.

at the Marysville Community Auditorium.

Tickets are $10 general and $8 seniors and students.

(Sorry. No special discounts for Deadheads).

YUBA CITY--Tickets are still available for three of the four remaining performances of "The Wiz," which opened this past weekend at The Acting Company.

The short eight performance run continues this weekend beginning at 8 p.m. Friday. There are still some tickets available for the Friday night show, along with the 2 p.m. matinees on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Saturday 8 p.m. performance has been sold out for several weeks.

The popular story of Kansas farm girl Dorothy, her dog, Toto, and all of the familiar characters of Oz is turned into a hilarious musical
comedy in "The Wiz." The Acting Company performance features many great performers from the Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts, some newcomers, including 4-year-old Summer Givens as Toto and 6'-5" Jeff Graham as a giant of a wizard, and some familiar actors from other Acting Company performances.

The comic stage design sets the tone for a magical, funny, and
whimsical musical experience with great singing and dancing.

Tickets are $15 and are available at www.actingcompany.org or by
calling 751-1100.

In the months ahead, MCAA students will be presenting several
outstanding performances and fundraising events. Please join with other parents and friends to show your support for MCAA and our students. By showing up you are helping to continue the dream.

Your support promotes vision, imagination, intellectual development, hands-on experience and engagement with the world.

Your support enriches our student body and our community. It will enable our promising young students to continue to share their growth with others by allowing them to continue to offer the varied performance showcases, dance recitals, media-festivals, musicals, dramas and art shows that has helped make MCAA part of one of the most vibrant and culturally exciting educational adventures in the mid-valley.

Please support these performances by bringing your family and your friends Here's what's on tap:

-- Actor's Studio: One Act Plays

A selection of one-act plays by ith Marysville Charter Academy of the Arts is underway, even as we speak.

Performances are planned for 7:00 p.m., March 17, 18, and 19, at The Marysville Auditorium

-- One Act Plays are acted, directed and produced by the students of the Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts under the executive
direction of Wendie Marks drama instructor.

Presentations include:
-- Small Actors/Stephen Greg
-- Uncool/Vin Morreale, Jr.
--The Tolstoy Story Play/V. Glasgow Koste
-- The Shadow In The Glen/ John Synge
-- Hands Across-The-Sea / Noel Coward

All performances are $5. For more information call: 749-6157.