‘BIG TOP’ FUN AT THE MUSEUM

What kid wouldn’t rather go to the the circus than clean up a messy room?

In the Los Angeles Children’s Museum’s colorful “Spinning the Big Top,” a girl named Hero is told to tidy her room. But unmade beds and a toy-strewn floor aren’t nearly as interesting as dreaming up ferocious beasties, tightrope walkers and clowns.

Imagination abounds in this new Bumberchute production conceived by Bennett McClellan and directed by Candace Barrett. From Martin Paull’s eccentric junky kid’s room set and Joan Harrison’s marvelous costumes conjured up out of household objects to Brian Faul’s evocative lighting design, the show is a celebration of creativity.

Audience participation is a key element. The audience is called upon to guide the action, to cheer on the actors and even to get into the act: an hour before each performance, children 6 and older can join a theater workshop and take an active part in the show.

Saturday’s volunteers were acrobats and tightrope walkers--on an imaginary rope--or wild animals doing tricks, wearing ribbon manes and scouring-pad ears.

The professional adult cast members--Frank Pittarese, Steve Neuder, Pablo Marz, Brian Hughes and Harrison--reach children with humor and reassurance.

The show entertains adults as well. There’s some mature humor here--clowns calling themselves amusement engineers and a sly reference to what goes on next door at City Hall.

Of the two young leads, Jedidiah Sowder, who plays Hero’s brother, does well, never straying out of character. As Hero, young Staci Eisenberg hasn’t yet settled into her role. Her energy level is at an artificial high, making her performance shrill and one-dimensional.

It’s an unfortunate flaw in an otherwise unusual, well-paced and funny production that illustrates clearly what a rich, rewarding place the mind can be.

Performances at 310 N. Main St. through Aug. 23, Saturdays-Tuesdays at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Free with museum admission of $3. (213) 687-8800.