“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.

Jason Hopkins, Ayla Clark Pix by Staci Johnson Hopkins has tossed away his script crutch. So have a few others. But everyone should have done that by now.

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.