It's time to "get Shanghaied."

The new season of “Shanghaied in Astoria” is set to open soon. This locally-written play is part vaudeville, part soap opera, and part 1950s style Hollywood musical, all combined into a fun and entertaining look at traditional local cultural folklore. What originated as a celebration of Astoria tradition has now become a tradition itself.

The 25th anniversary season of “Shanghaied in Astoria,” sponsored by North Coast Fred Meyer, opens July 9 and runs through Sept. 11, at the ASOC Playhouse, 129 W. Bond St., behind the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce. The show runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with the box office opening at 6:30 p.m., doors at 7 p.m. and show time at 7:30 p.m. There are also four Sunday matinees on July 19, Aug. 2 and 9, and Sept. 6, with the box office opening at 1 p.m., doors at 1:30 p.m. and show time at 2 p.m. There will be no late seating.

Astor Street Opry Company is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization created in 1983 from a grassroots effort to enrich cultural opportunities for performers and patrons in the greater Northwest area. The vision of ASOC was to bring a unique theater experience to the community while celebrating local customs. The engaging style draws the audience in close as it provides opportunities for people of different generations and backgrounds to discover what is unique about the community and its history.

The first performance of ASOC was the Broadway-style musical melodrama “Shanghaied in Astoria.” This summer will celebrate the 25th year that “Shanghaied” has been performed in Astoria. The success of “Shanghaied in Astoria” has helped ASOC develop other performance options for the community, in addition to developing and supporting children’s educational programs, reader’s theater and family musicals. In 2008, more than 4,000 people came to the shows.

Tickets are $10 to $20 and can be purchased by calling the ticket hotline at (503) 325-6104 to leave a voicemail. Calls will be returned between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. Tickets can also be purchased at the door beginning one hour before show time, but reservations are recommended. Be sure to ask about group and family rates and senior and child discounts. For more information on all “Shanghaied” activities, log on to www.shanghaiedinastoria.com