A long time

ago, back when nobody really populated this country and

England was the toast of the world, the main form of

entertainment was theater.

People of

all classes would gather at an outdoor arena and watch

all the comedy, drama, romance and action they could.

Over time, the world of theater has had its share of ups

and downs, but everything looks up for theater lovers in

this region this summer.

The Gordon

College theater department leads the way as its students

will perform "Waiting for the Parade" July 8-10

at the Gordon College Fine Arts Auditorium. The play is

about five Canadian women surviving as they wait for

their husbands to return from World War II. Admission is

free and performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Call

770-358-5040 or 770-358-5292.

The Clayton

Alliance for Summer Theatre will have a busy July as

well. The group will perform "Schoolhouse Rock,

Live!" July 15-18. "Schoolhouse Rock" was

a series of animated educational shorts that ran on ABC

in the 1970s.

The

following week, CAST will present "Babes in

Toyland," the story of the secret life of toys.

Their last production in July will be the musical,

"Oliver.". "Oliver" is based on the

Dickens novel "Oliver Twist," which deals with

an orphaned boy who becomes a pickpocket in London.

All

Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows will be presented at

7:30 p.m. at the Clayton County School Performing Art

Center, while Sunday performances are scheduled for 2:30

p.m. Admission is $3 for students and $6 for adults for

all shows with the exception of "Oliver."

Admission to "Oliver" is $4 for students and $7

for adults. Call 770-473-2950.

The

Southside Theatre Guild in Fairburn will present

"The Phantom Tollbooth," based on the popular

children's novel, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights

July 15-31.

Shows begin

at 8 p.m. and admission is $10 for adults and $8 for

children. Thursday tickets are $8. STG is conducting

auditions for "On Golden Pond" July 18 at 3

p.m. and July 19 at 7 p.m. Auditions will be at the

theater at 20 W. Campbellton St. in Fairburn. Call

770-969-0956.

Offshoot

Productions is trying something different this summer:

interactive children's theater. The company will perform

"Cinderella, Cinderella" and "Treasure

Island" July 16-18 and July 23-25. The plays are

adaptations of famous stories and include bringing

members of the audience into the action. "The

children in the audience may be asked to be part of the

pirate gang, or they might help Cinderella clean up to

get ready for the ball," said Offshoot's artistic

director Susan Steadman. "It should be really

fun."

"Cinderella,

Cinderella" will be performed at 8 p.m. July 16 and

17 and at 3 p.m. July 24 and 25. There will be a special

matinee Thursday, July 22 for large groups. The play will

be presented at 10 a.m. "Treasure Island" will

be performed at 3 p.m. July 17 and 18 and at 8 p.m July

24 and 25. The plays will be performed at McIntosh High

School.

Tickets are

available at Omega Book Store in Peachtree City, Fayette

Book Shop in Fayetteville and at the Peachtree City

Library.

The Fayette

Community Theater will perform "Huckleberry

Finn" at Sams Auditorium Aug. 6 - 8 and Aug. 13 -

15. "Huckleberry Finn" is the story of an

orphaned boy who takes to the Mississippi River with a

runaway slave. Tickets for this musical will go on sale

July 10 at the Peachtree City and Fayetteville libraries,

Pam's Hallmark in Peachtree City or by calling the ticket

line at 770-631-1542.

Pre-ordered

tickets are $6, while tickets purchased at the door are

$8 for adults and $6 for children or seniors.

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