“Bugsy Malone Jr.’ heads into the clubhouse turn this week with only few days left to opening night and much left still to do.

Costumes are all but done and sets are shaping up -- but need work. The actors – some of whom are absent where they are needed – could use some drilling on their lines. Maybe something like one of those total-immersion language courses the Peace Corps gives its personnel before shipping them off to the Kingdom of Brunei.

Ten rehearsals into the project and many are still reading their lines from the script. Jason Hopkins, “Bugsy Malone” in the play, is a quick study and an energetic actor who could offer much to Yuba-Sutter community theater as he matures. If he sticks with it.

From the start, Ayla Clark was an unquestionably skilled singer and her wholesome good looks particularly suited the role of “Blousy Brown.” But the big question was: Can she act? We, in case you’re still wondering, the answer is: She sure can.

Watching her work reveals a brain at work. In an initial rehearsal, she had trouble pronouncing some of the odder words from the script, as might be expected of anyone struggling with a script set in a time and milieu alien to her entire experience.

Next practice she had words down and her delivery indicated she had either figured out the social dynamic called for in the scene or someone had helped her understand what the writer was trying to convey.

Best of all, she accomplished all this in an easy-going, off-hand manner. Very professional. Her problem, if any, may be that she will come of so naturally, she may not get credit for acting.

One of the most remarkable things about children’s theater is seeing the differences in cultural/social comprehension between kids of varying ages. Sometimes, even between kids of the same age.

Occasionally, you even get to see a kid of, say, seven, show more basic motivations, goals and nuances in an acting scene than an 11-year-old. Mothers probably learned this stuff eons ago, but it’s intriguing to see it for the first time.

Star dancer Kenni Fayette, who plays torch singer “Tallulah” at “Fat Sam’s Grand Slam” speakeasy has only performed her signature song a couple of times publicly – once at he auditions and once in rehearsal. Nevertheless, as a seasoned actor with many musicals and recitals under her belt, she’s sure to deliver for the audience on opening night.

Kyle Jensen – competing gang leader “Dandy Dan” in the play – is all set. Knows his lines and his songs, and performs them with zest. Even his snazzy green suit is perfect.

Kyle Noland, who plays “Fat Sam,” missed some of the early rehearsals and was away last week and this for the current round rehearsals. Boy Scout camp or something. So it’s hard to say where he stands.

The base coats of the sets were all laid down Sunday as “Bugsy Malone Jr.” cast members and parents pitched in to spiff up The Acting Company Theater in Yuba City.

All that remains to ready for opening night is to paint in the skyline over Fat Sam’s Grand Slam speakeasy and the false shelves that swivel away to allow entry to the “liveliest place in town.”

“This place has been painted sooooo many times,” said Patty Fayette, as watched the flat black being rolled onto the walls and remembered the many productions she has helped TAC with. In this case she is assistant director, and dogged baseboard painter.

For Fayette, “Bugsy” is a family affair, with daughter, as a Kenni playing “Tallulah” and husband, Randy, providing the carpentry and electrical skills so needed to put on a show.

Also there helping out wee Jason Hopkins, a fast painter with some familiarity with the principle of wet pain on dry walls.

“I just painted my new brother’s room, and I've painted a lot of fences, My granddad taught me hour to do it a couple of years ago,” said the 13-year-old “Bugsy.”

The Acting Company of Yuba City held its eighth of 16 scheduled rehearsals Friday for "Bugsy Malone Jr." - the famous gangster fable for kids.

Director Pierrette Jensen announced she has made her final cast revisions.

The Friday rehearsal also marked the first time the has practiced the second portion of the popular movie musical and play.

Kyle Noland filled the "Fat Sam" role two weeks ago. About the same time Jensen selected Gabriel Divelbiss to play "Fizzy."

All other cast changes involved reshuffling actor's assignments among the smaller roles and making room for dancers as they returned from summer vacations.

A display window complete with cast publicity photos and decorative items reminiscent of the 1920s period in which "Bugsy" is set.

Tickets have been placed on sale , with only one glitch: the printer had morphed opening night into opening afternoon by declaring curtain time to be 2 p.m., rather than 8 p.m. Ticket-holders should take note of this and correct their calendars to reflect the later time.

Costumes are looking good, with Jensen designing sometimes matching get-ups for the two warring gangs that provide the play's milieu and motivating factors.

Sets are shaping up well. A paint fest is scheduled to start 9 a.m. Sunday and last until "whenever" the new backdrops and sets are completely painted, Jensen quipped as she invited one and all to join in on the project.

"If they can't paint, they can clean up," explained to one parent.

The actors are beginning to get their bearings in the various scenes. Not counting the technical and dress rehearsals, only six working rehearsals remain, according to the calendar issued by Jensen at the start of the play production.