‘Tooth’: Puppet Show With Offbeat Bite

Talking clocks, singing socks, sight gags and TV send-ups--”The Timmy the Tooth Variety Show,” a new live puppet theater production for children at Burbank’s Gypsy Playhouse, holds offbeat appeal for adults as well.

Timmy the Tooth, a congenial bicuspid and show biz enthusiast, along with his sidekick Ed McBrush-Brush, hosts an assortment of talents, from Dean Thesaurus (“Don’t quit your day job, Dean”) to the rock ‘n’ rollin’ New Socks on the Block, with their hit song, “Burnin’ Itch.”

Julia Giraffe conducts a “Name That Fruit” segment where the hapless contestants end up in the blender, a commercial advertises “Ninja Babies” and Dr. Gum interrupts the proceedings to warn Timmy about a blue, tentacled Cavity Creep on the loose.

With its obvious mix of Pee Wee Herman and “The Muppet Show” influences, it’s no surprise to learn that writer-puppeteer Kevin Carlson plays Clockey, Floorey and Conky on “Pee Wee’s Playhouse,” or that co-writer and puppeteer James Murray has worked with the late Jim Henson and Disney Productions and on such shows as “D.C. Follies.”

Director Susan Carlson and producer-performer Dina Murray, with extensive backgrounds in children’s theater, have also been involved with Muppet and Disney productions.

The puppet designs lack originality and there are some timing lags, but the music and dialogue have professional polish, and Michael Fairman’s lighting--strobe and colors--is a young crowd pleaser. It’s pleasant fun from the Kidding Around Productions troupe, with one caveat: The small theater is stuffy on a warm day, despite overhead fans.

At 3321 W. Olive Ave. in Burbank through Oct. 27, Saturdays at noon and 2 p.m. $4; (818) 954-9858.