7th Street Kids present ‘Bugsy Malone’

The production opens Friday and runs through the weekend at the 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam.

What happens when a washed-up boxer is enlisted to help a frustrated gangster get one up on his rival? In the 7th Street Kids production of “Bugsy Malone,” the answer is “mayhem.”

The production opens Friday and runs through the week-

end at the 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam.

Set in late 1920s New York City, “Bugsy Malone” is a slapstick comedy that tells the tale of two rival gangs, led by Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. After Fat Sam’s boys come under attack by Dandy Dan’s goons, Fat Sam hires Bugsy to help him even the score.

Up to that point, Bugsy, who fancies himself a pretty smooth ladies’ man, is busy trying to sweet-talk singer Blousey Brown. Enter Fat Sam’s girl, Tallulah, a singer in his nightclub. If you think the rivalry between gangs in bad, wait until Blousey finds Tallulah putting the moves on Bugsy.

Tigre Falla plays Bugsy, with Michael Turpin and Matthew Wyland as Fat Sam and Dandy Dan, respectively. Zoe Templeton (Blousey), Kendall Cavin (Tallulah), Sam Dorsch (Cagey Joe) and Aiden Brown (Leroy) are joined by over 40 other cast members as they give life to this pinstriped romp.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $5 for children 12 and younger. Advance tickets are available at Tinderbox Coffee Roasters in Aberdeen, Harbor Drug in Hoquiam, Mocha Madness in Ocean Shores, or at brownpapertickets.com. They are also available at the theater box office one hour before each performance.

The nonprofit 7th Street Kids operates a six-week musical theater program every summer for children ages 7 to 16, culminating in a major production. Since the organization’s inception in 1992, more than 600 kids have participated.

For more information, visit 7thstreetkids.org.

Fat Sam (Michael Turpin), left, and Bugsy (Tigre Falla) make plans. (Photo by Katherine Fowler)

Fat Sam (Michael Turpin), left, and Bugsy (Tigre Falla) make plans. (Photo by Katherine Fowler)

Fizzy (Justyce Peterson) cleans up at Fat Sam’s Grand Slam. (Photo by Katherine Fowler)

Fizzy (Justyce Peterson) cleans up at Fat Sam’s Grand Slam. (Photo by Katherine Fowler)

“Splurge” fight at Fat Sam’s Grand Slam. Splurge guns, invented by Dandy Dan, shoot a foamy substance. (Photo by Katherine Fowler)

“Splurge” fight at Fat Sam’s Grand Slam. Splurge guns, invented by Dandy Dan, shoot a foamy substance. (Photo by Katherine Fowler)

At Fat Sam’s speakeasy, Tallulah (Kendall Cavin) sings to Benny Lee (Ben Fagerstedt) as Kathryn Weidman looks on. (Photo by Katherine Fowler)

At Fat Sam’s speakeasy, Tallulah (Kendall Cavin) sings to Benny Lee (Ben Fagerstedt) as Kathryn Weidman looks on. (Photo by Katherine Fowler)

Leroy (Aiden Brown) visits Slugger’s Gym and punches one of the boxers (Ben Fagerstedt) as Bugsy (Tigre Falla) and the other boxers look on. (Photo by Katherine Fowler)

Leroy (Aiden Brown) visits Slugger’s Gym and punches one of the boxers (Ben Fagerstedt) as Bugsy (Tigre Falla) and the other boxers look on. (Photo by Katherine Fowler)