‘Little Women’ a Bit Sugary

“Little Women,” the Serendipity Theatre Co.’s holiday production at the Coronet Theatre, is as pretty as a Christmas card. Like some Christmas cards, however, it errs on the sugary side. The appealing junior cast members look the part, but their word-perfect readings skim the surface of Louisa May Alcott’s classic.

An exception is Rebekah Baker as Jo. Late in the play, during softer moments, Baker proves capable of subtlety and depth; she maturely conveys Jo’s coming of age. For the most part, though, director Scott Davidson, who wrote the adaptation, has allowed his young star to go over the top with a noisy, one-note interpretation of Jo’s spirited boyishness.

Robert C. Mumm did the eye-pleasing 19th-Century design, well-matched by Daphne McInnis’ fetching costumes.

“Little Women,” Coronet Theatre, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 and 4 p.m., through Dec. 27. For ages 7 and up. $12; $6 , ages 13 and under. (310) 652-9199.

Stringed Wonders: Wide eyes and smiles greet the puppets parading around the mostly preschool audience during “Bob Baker’s Nutcracker!” at the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre. Black-garbed puppeteers whirl a variety of marionettes around the large room so the stringed wonders can get up close and personal. A funky mix of old recordings vaguely relate to the “Nutcracker” theme. Flashing lights and blacklight are other popular elements in Bob Baker shows that return here. The show falters in too many small, static scenes too far from the audience.

“Bob Baker’s Nutcracker!,” Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. 1st St., Tuesday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Indefinitely. School holidays: weekdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. $10. (213) 250-9995.

Mowgli en Espanol: “El Libro de la Selva,” a children’s musical comedy version of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book,” is playing at the 980-seat Teatro Unique in East Los Angeles. The unusual, all-Spanish adaptation, with book, music and lyrics by Magda Puig, features professional adult actors, many of whom are well-known from their film work in Mexico, said producer-director Gilda Baum.

The cast, including Silvia Manriquez as Kaa the Snake (“que se-se-serpiente!”) and Edgardo Gazcon as Mowgli, “wanted to do something in Spanish for children in Los Angeles to (emphasize) the importance of not losing their language,” Baum said.

“It’s great that children are encouraged to speak more than one language,” she said. But “also I think it’s important they don’t forget the language of their roots.”

Baum described the musical as “a story with a message, done with jokes, songs and dance.” It’s about “how important it is to have a friend and how important it is to take care of nature.”

“El Libro de la Selva,” Teatro Unique, 3645 E. 1st St., East L.A.; Saturday-Sunday, noon and 2 p.m., through Sunday. Adults, $10-$12; children, $5-$7. (213) 264-8706.