FOR THE KIDS : The Classic ‘Secret Garden’ Transformed Into a Musical : Theatreworks / USA’s production hits the stage in Thousand Oaks for two performances Saturday.

“The Secret Garden,” the book about forbidden, magical places and the nasty-turned-nice girl who discovers them, is coming to Ventura County--as a musical.

Theatreworks / USA, the New York-based theater group for kids, has created a musical version of the classic story, which hits the stage Saturday at the Civic Arts Plaza’s Forum Theater. Performances are 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

The company has been around for 26 years, creating shows for children and touring the country with them.

The group has made stops in Ventura County the last few years with such productions as “Curious George,” “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” “Footprints on the Moon” and, most recently, “The Little Prince.”

For those who never read Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1910 book, “The Secret Garden” is the story of Mary Lennox, a spoiled, lonely English girl of 9 who lives in India with her wealthy parents. Suddenly orphaned, she is sent to England to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven.

Her new home, Misslethwaite Manor on the moors, is a cold, forbidding place, ruled by a tyrannical housekeeper assigned to look after her. Worse than that, though, are the terrifying and unexplained screams that awaken her nightly.

As Mary explores the manor and its gardens, she discovers the source of the cries: her young cousin, a miserable, neglected invalid kept hidden in his room.

The two are befriended by a local boy, and the trio find the secret garden and its miracles.

The production, which lasts about 70 minutes, isn’t as serious as it sounds. It has funny moments, and the songs are clever. Tickets for the show, presented by the Ventura County Children’s Festival, are $10 for children and $12 for adults.

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For something a little sillier, Cal Lutheran University’s drama department is putting on the classic fairy tale “The Frog Prince” this weekend and next.

It’s the story of Prince Dudley-Bob, who is turned into a frog as he seeks to marry the beautiful Princess Penelope.

This is all the dirty work of the wicked witch, Wilhelmena. Things come to a head when Penelope is engaged to Chester the Jester.

This Children’s Theatre production features CLU students Melissa Greason of Camarillo and Roman Martel of Thousand Oaks.

The show will be presented at CLU’s Preus-Brandt Forum at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Sunday , April 29 and 30. Tickets are $4. For information, call 493-4483.

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The fish are jumping at Lake Piru--or they will be by Saturday for the fifth annual Family Fishing Derby. By then, the lake will be stocked with trout, and a special fishing area for kids will be right next to the spot where the trout are dumped in.

Registration begins at 6 a.m. The fish weigh-in for children is at 2 p.m. and for adults 3 p.m.

For kids 15 and under, the prizes for heaviest trout and bass and heaviest catch are fishing gear. Youngsters will also get a free packet with contents including hooks, bait, sinkers and bobbers. Cash prizes for adults range up to $500.

The derby provides $1,000 for the Imogene Vest Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a graduating Fillmore high school student.

On the day of the derby, entry fees are $35 for families, $10 for senior citizens, $17 for those 16 and older, $12 for those 12 to 15, $6 for children 6 to 11--younger kids are free. Bring your own rod and reel. For information, call 524-0132.

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Here’s a freebie: Children’s Day in the Park will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Camarillo Community Center, Carmen Drive and Burnley Street.

Look for arts and crafts activities, entertainment, games, face painting and summer camp information.

It’s sponsored by the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District and the Camarillo Child Care Advisory Council. The event is also tied in with an arts and crafts fair. For information, call 482-1996.

Details

* WHAT: “The Secret Garden.”

* WHEN: 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

* WHERE: Civic Arts Plaza’s Forum Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousands Oaks.

* HOW MUCH: $10 children, $12 adults.

* CALL: To charge tickets by phone: 650-5900 or 374-9222.

* FYI: Tickets are also available at Kideos in Ventura, the Parenting Store in Thousand Oaks and Serendipity Toys in Ojai.