Words and Deeds, From Aesop to Zoo, for Spring Gleaning

Orange County family concerts, plays and events for the next several weeks.

Today

At the Santa Ana Zoo’s annual Sheepshearing Festival, professional clippers demonstrate their skill along with spinners, weavers and other artisans, who will also show kids how to turn raw wool into yarn. Demos run on the half-hour, starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m. Free with zoo admission: $2-$4; free to visitors younger than 3 and those with disabilities. (714) 836-4000.

Friday

Angels we have seen on high, and they’re hovering over the stage of the Crystal Cathedral. Celestial beings, live animals and splashy effects are part of a huge-cast staging of “The Glory of Easter.” Performances of the 90-minute pageant, which chronicles the last days of Jesus, continue through April 3. $15-$30. (714) 544-5679.

More than 100 young actors from the Fullerton Union High School Academy of the Arts and a live, 20-piece orchestra present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s romantic comedy “Flower Drum Song” today through March 27 at Plummer Auditorium (201 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton). $7-$8. (714) 671-1084.

Saturday

A rousing chorale of mostly inner-city kids, the Paul McNeff KidSingers join the Paul McNeff Singers in a swinging program of gospel and other tunes in “Gospel Jubilee!” at 7 p.m. at Santa Ana High School Auditorium (520 W. Walnut). Tickets: $5-$10 (“benefit tickets,” good for premium seating and a partial tax deduction, are $30). (714) 525-7464.

Sunday

What better day for a stroll than the first day of spring? Families can step out among the greening hills and colorful wildflowers of the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy on a guided nature walk from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Other walks and nature programs offered at conservancy throughout the month.) Reservations required. On California 74, off the 5 Freeway in San Juan Capistrano. $3 for adults; $2 for kids 4-17. (949) 489-9778.

The audience-participation Magic Mirror Players perform Aesop’s fables and improv bits at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea. $6. (714) 990-7722.

March 23

Teenage theater buffs can gain insight into the staging of John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” at special Theatre Discovery Project performances at South Coast Repertory (655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa). The performances, which include a pre-show discussion by a member of SCR’s literary staff, are designed for high school groups, but some seats are available to single ticket buyers for the 7:30 shows next Tuesday through March 25. Single ticket prices for “Of Mice and Men,” which continues through April 4, are $28 to $45; student discounts of $10 or more are available at certain performances. (714) 708-5555.

March 31

Cozier in scale than Cirque du Soleil but still captivating, Cirque Eloize returns at 8 p.m. to the Irvine Barclay Theatre (4242 Campus Drive) with a trunkful of circus skills, music and comedy titled “Excentricus II.” April 2 at 8 p.m., April 3 at 2 and 8 p.m. $17 to $28. (949) 854-4646.