Talk about collaboration!

Rhode Island’s theatre community is evolving into one big collaborative effort to provide numerous opportunities for local actors, writers, musicians, directors, support people and audiences.

The latest undertaking is Elemental Theatre’s world premiere musical, “A Brief History of the Earth and Everything In It (as performed by Mrs. LoPiccolo’s third-grade drama group from William Jennings Bryon Elementary School in Springfield, Missouri),” being performed through this coming weekend at the Gamm Theatre in Pawtucket.

We saw Dave Rabinow’s original shorter production back in January of 2011. He has taken his clever concept and expanded it into a 90-minute, one-act musical, thanks to a number of people who have collaborated with him on the production.

Trinity’s Tyler Dobrowski directs, while Gamm’s Karen Carpenter and Casey Seymour Kim join the cast of Elemental actors and other local actors, as they put on a musical to save their school from the right wing principal and his fundamental approach to education.

The production begins with the students greeting their “friends and relatives” in the audience before giving their version of history, much to the chagrin of their principal, who just happens to be running for governor on a platform to the right of the Tea Party.

As the students give their version of the Big Bang Theory, Intelligent Design, war, religion and the existence of God, the principal interrupts them and their ding-dong teacher.

The musical numbers by Victoria Dorazio and Dave Rabinow are clever, adding much to the production.

The ensemble cast has fun with their roles, hamming it up while throwing in some real anti-establishment zingers.

Casey Seymour Kim and Kelly Seigh have juicy roles as a British exchange-student and a formerly home-school student, respectively. Karen Carpenter, who has shined in a number of very feminine roles at Gamm, is right on the money as Derek, the macho ringleader of the motley crew.

While still needing a bit of tightening up, “A Brief History…” is a fun musical (and a spoof on musicals at the same time), while exploring some major religious, political and historical issues.

There’s a surprise appearance by a “mystery guest,” who changes the direction of the musical in more ways than one.

If you want to see why Rhode Island theatre is so exciting and how our many talented artists are working together to make it happen, catch this production Thursday, June 26 through Sunday, June 29 at Gamm Theatre in Pawtucket. Evening performances are at 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Call 447-3001 for reservations. Tickets are $20.