The Stawell Performing Arts Company's upcoming production of `Groovy' has prompted a frenzied raid on local op shops and wardrobes for flared pants, platform shoes, strings of beads and anything else from the 60s era.

Groovy is a musical comedy tribute to the 1960s and the cast and crew have got into the spirit of the production, which opens at the Stawell Entertainment Centre next Friday, September 5.

In Groovy audiences will celebrate the hippies and flower children of the 1960s.

The story follows Travis, Muriel and Alice who decide to throw a free Music, Beads and Flowers Celebration.

A popular singing group, the Lemon Bugs, love the idea and donate their talent.

In no time, crazily-painted buses start arriving at Crumb's Apple Farm, the site of the festival.

Everything is going nicely until Mrs Porter, who hates `The Love Generation', shows up and demands that the local police close it down.

If this wasn't bad enough, two music promoters offer the Lemon Bugs a deal they can't refuse if they will skip the celebration.

You'll love the wildly funny characters like California Cowabunga, who can surf on dry land, Hippie Girl With Flute, who thinks she's the Pied Piper of Hamelin, and a London fashion designer who plans to release a line of Flower Power clothing.

Although the hippies might wear buttons that say `Never Trust Anyone Over Thirty', their hearts are in the right place and the celebration triumphs.

The songs are a highlight of the show and are all in the 60s style, from surfing songs aka the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez style songs and big gospel numbers, they are upbeat and will have you tapping your toes and heading home with a song in your head.

Songs include Anything is Possible, Lemon Bugs in a Lemon Air-o-plane, Brothers and Sisters and naturally, Groovy!

Groovy is being directed by Helga Saunders with Marie Sanders as musical director and a host of backstage crew making sure the show hits the stage next week.

Groovy will be staged at the Stawell Entertainment Centre on September 5 and 6 at 8pm, September 7 at 2pm and September 12 and 13 at 8pm.

Bookings are through Sneek a Peek in Stawell, phone 5358 1233.