Hollywood Bowl as Kids’ Hangout

The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s annual Open House at the Hollywood Bowl, a Southland summer entertainment staple for children, is back with a whole new bag of tuneful tricks.

With a “Musical Time Machine” theme, this six-week slate of theatrical music performances for ages 3 to 11 is a fantasy jaunt through music history.

Its first offering, which began Monday and continues through Friday, features the Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra. The finale in August features the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Ensemble.

In between, the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra offers a taste of “The Magic Flute,” a young Beethoven finds his musical voice in a performance by the Lontano Piano Trio, the Debussy Trio spans the 20th century, and Roald Dahl’s comic versions of fairy tales are set to music by Canada’s theatrical Dandi Productions troupe.

“We want to let people know that classical music is fun and entertaining, and that kids love it. They don’t know that it is, quote, hard,” said Llewellyn Crain, the Philharmonic’s director of education.

Both the format and an added program for preschoolers are new this year. For the first time, host David Prather, an actor and trained clown, is being integrated into the performances, playing characters in scripted presentations. “We’re making it more of a show,” Crain said.

* Open House at the Hollywood Bowl: “Musical Time Machine,” Patio Stage, adjacent to the Bowl Museum, today and Friday: “Go for Baroque!” Monday-July 20: “Mozart’s Magical Music.” July 23-27: “Beethoven’s Big Break.” July 30-Aug. 3: “The Roaring 20th Century.” Aug. 6-10: “Roald Dahl’s Little Red Riding Hood.” Aug. 13-17: “Jazz Hot & Cool.” Times: “Let’s Make Music” programs and mini-performances for ages 3 to 5 at 10 a.m. Main show for ages 5 and up at 11:15 a.m. Visual and performing arts workshops for ages 3 to 11 at noon. $5. Age 2 or younger, free. Program brochure: (323) 850-2000.