As part of the 125th anniversary of Tracy’s founding, Tracy City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert in 2003 set about staging an “Our Town” musical with a Tracy twist.

Tonight, the playwright will watch the opening of the fourth edition of “Tracy, Our Town, USA.” It’s being presented with cabaret-style seating in Tracy Community Center.

Even though we have an interest as a community sponsor, we know “Tracy, Our Town, USA” will continue to be a smashing success because it retells local history in an entertaining way with new scenes and talent, and always with a flair for comedy.

“When was the last time three black men cowboy-upped in Tracy” Tolbert asks. They will tonight on stage. It’s an example of the diversity of the show and of the all-volunteer community cast of 35 players.

“Tracy, Our Town, USA” provides snippets of local history to old-timers and newcomers through a celebration of the people, places and organizations of this community. For instance, this year’s musical profiles the opening of McHenry House Tracy Family Shelter, Lolly Hansen Senior Center and Tracy Temple Church of God in Christ, Tracy’s first black church, established in 1944.

“Tracy, Our Town, USA” is more than a play; it generates financial support and expands local performing arts. It falls under the umbrella of the Tracy Performing Arts Foundation that serves as an advocate and provider of support services to several non-profit and neighborhood performing arts groups. Soon, they will call the Grand Theatre as their community arts center.

That’s where the fifth edition of “Tracy, Our Town, USA” will be staged in 2007. But we are getting a little ahead of ourselves since the 2006 musical begins a six-day, two-weekend run tonight.

We urge the community to enjoy this historical musical while standing up for Tracy’s performing arts.