PRESTONSBURG -- Appalachian Community Theatres held an invitation-only gala Thursday night, to celebrate the opening of the group's latest production, "Schoolhouse Rock Jr."

The performance was featured a selection of songs from the popular Saturday morning animated short, "Schoolhouse Rock," which imparted lessons on grammar, science, history and civics.

"Tonight we honor education," ACT executive director Terry Salyer told the guests prior to the start of the show. "And as you'll see in the show we'll do in a little bit, there's a lot of reinforcement, particularly for old codgers like me, who grew up singing and watching 'Schoolhouse Rock' with the cartoons on Saturday morning."

"Schoolhouse Rock Jr." will be performed Friday and Saturday nights, at 7 p.m., and at 3 p.m., Sunday. Tickets are $11.

In addition to "Schoolhouse Rock Jr.," the performers also staged a preshow, during which groups and individual actors performed songs and dances for which they had established routines.

Prior to the show, Salyer recognized Debbie Stepp, of Broadway Printers, in Paintsville, for her work in producing posters, banners and programs for the acting group.

Performers in "Schoolhouse Rock Jr." include Lincoln Kilgore, Andrew Chapman, Makanna Mason, Hallee Lawson, Madison Tackett, Maddison Wampler, Paige Meadows, Katie Sexton, Bailey Windland, Emily War, Matthew Hicks, Ayngelea Nicole Griffith, Amelia Kretzer, Molly Francis, Madison Webb, Gabbie Bates, Tess Sergent, Riley Castle, Meghan Ratliff, Serena Castle, Skyler Hackworth, Hannah Bishop, Hana Hackworth, Makenzie Martin, Mattingly Jane Ratliff, Kaleigh Moore, Chelsea Reynolds, Chloe Reynolds, Lauryn McCoy, Katie Hammonds, Shelby Castle, Ashton Lohnes, Kaitlyn Johnson, Luke Shepherd, Hannah Shepherd, Abigail Adams, Emily Cole, Kandyce Hackworth, Adleigh Marshall, Katelyn Bingham, Elizabeth Campbell, Hannah Varney, Kassidy Clatworthy, Reagan Sammons and Haley Duty.