Four wives are competing for the honor of becoming “Mrs. California,” but it’s not entirely a beauty contest. Sure, it helps if they look good in an evening gown. But this competition also hinges their skill with a sewing machine, or baking cakes. It makes for a busy life of household engineering, described by one of the contestants, Mrs. Los Angeles.

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Her life wasn’t always this domestic. During World War II – a recent memory in the early 50s – Mrs. Los Angeles worked for the U.S. Navy, transmitting secret messages. One night she handled a message that saved an entire convoy. And she’s really proud of what she did. But now she’s supposed to forget all that, and spend her days folding laundry. Her frustration, played partly for laughs, and partly for real, is what drives this bright little comedy. This production of “Mrs. California” also marks the tenth anniversary for River Stage, and it’s a good example of the strong work this company has given us through the years. It makes you laugh, but it also helps you reflect on who we were then, and who we are now as a country. “Mrs. California” plays through May 8 on the Cosumnes River College campus. Jeff Hudson, KXJZ News.