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).