Storyteller, songwriter and musician James C. McCarthy will be giving American history a humorous twist in Honolulu Theatre for Youth's "Stripes & Stars: A Surprising History of the United States" today.

"We decided to mix up the types of stories with the content," McCarthy said in a press release. "What if the civil rights movement were talked about in a ghost story? Instead of retelling how George Washington was a great war hero, what if we told about the many brave women who fought in the Revolutionary War?"

During a 55-minute performance that moves from the pre-Columbian era to present day, McCarthy will dress as President Lincoln, a rock 'n' roll star, a gold miner and Betsy Ross, as well as tell a ghost story about the civil rights movement and share stories of the women who fought in the Revolutionary War.

The play is appropriate for children 5 and up. See it at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. today, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14 at Tenney Theatre.

Tickets are $8 for those 18 and under, students with ID and seniors; $16 for adults and active duty military will receive a free child admission with each regularly priced adult ticket. Call the HTY box office at 839-9885 for information.