By Walt Dulaney

Ever studied Gauguin's sketches of Brittany? Based on them, I'd have advised Paul to keep his day job (never guessing what passionate art his Tahitian escape would ignite).

In 26 years serving Kalihi George and I have often been amazed to discover unanticipated depths of wisdom and generosity in students we early judged to be hopelessly apathetic or terminally rascal.

So ya' never know what folks are capable of uncorking - given the right stimulus. The plot of SKIDOO is the work of a confessed optimist. Enmeshed in 1924 corruption, my young protagonists awaken a coalition of distrustful minorities, senior and newly franchised citizens to oust the gangsters and politicians who have blighted Chicago.

Blatant BAD Guys: Limited to an hour's tale, my villains are both obvious and comic. The strategy they use to oppress the citizenry is simplistic: 1) keep 'em scared (cast saw newsreels of burning Klu Klux Klan crosses) 2) keep 'em stupid (company discussed ramifications of economic and historic illiteracy) 3) keep 'em stuffed (we role played the challenges facing unwed moms and their offspring).

What SKIDOO's heroes much overcome is limited imagination. As they try to build coalition, they must help Chicagoans of different ages, genders, economic circumstances, etc. recognize their common concerns.

A new Senior Tradition??? What if the gift graduating Farrington Seniors made the community was to register to vote before tassel tossing? Could the next class improv the %??