THEATER FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

Capsule reviews are by Lynne Heffley

Alegre (Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. 1st St., L.A., [213] 250-9995). A south of the border musical revue with more than 100 puppets and marionettes. Birthdays accommodated. Sun., 2:30 p.m.; Tue.-Thu., 10:30 a.m. Indefinitely. $8-$10.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, [949] 497-2787). Musical based on Judith Viorst’s children’s book. Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 5 p.m. Ends May 19. $17.

Beauty and the Beast (Granada Theatre, 18167 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, [818] 363-6887). Stella Watson’s version of the fairy tale for ages 4 and up. Sat., 1 p.m. Ends May 18. $8.50.

Beauty and the Beast (Excalibur Theatre, 12655 Ventura Blvd., Sports Center Bowl, upstairs, Studio City, [818] 761-8804). Musical version of the tale. Sun., 1 and 3 p.m. Ends May 26.

Cinderella (Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica, [310] 394-9779 Ext. 2). The playhouse’s perennial musical comedy fairy tale, by Chris DeCarlo and Evelyn Rudie. Sat.-Sun., 12:30 and 3 p.m. Ends June 30. $9.

The History of Musical Theatre (in 42 minutes and 28 seconds) (International City Theatre at Center Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, [562] 436-4610). A humorous introduction to American musical theater. Sat. only, 11 a.m. Free.

The Little Mermaid (Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale, [818] 244-8481). Musical version of the tale. Sat., 11 a.m. Ends June 29. $8-$10.

The Magic Mirror Players Children’s Show (New Ivar Theatre, 1605 N. Ivar Ave., Hollywood, [323] 660-5656). Raf Mauro’s comedy improv for kids. An adult cast performs comic sketches from audience suggestions. Sun., 10:30 a.m., noon. Indefinitely. $7.

Mollie & the Last Bookworm (Conejo Players Theatre, 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, [805] 495-3715). Conejo Children’s Theatre play about a little girl’s encounter with a bookworm and characters from children’s stories. Sat.-Sun., 1 and 4 p.m. Ends Sun. $8.

Musical Circus (Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, [626] 793-7172, Ext. 10). Pasadena Symphony presents eclectic wind quintet Calico Winds in a family concert. Also, a “musical instrument petting zoo.” Sat. only, 8:30 a.m. Free.

The New Adventures of Alice in Wonderland (La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, [562] 944-9801, [714] 994-6310). Golden State Theatre’s musical comedy. Sat., 2 p.m. Ends May 18. $8.

The Princess and the Frog (Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd., West L.A., [818] 761-2203). Storybook Theatre’s musical comedy, by Lloyd J. Schwartz, Hope Juber and Laurence Juber. Audience participation. Ages 3 and up. Sat., 1 p.m. Ends July 13. $8-$10.

The Princess and the Pea (Rancho Canada Elementary School, 21801 Winding Way, Lake Forest, [949] 581-5402). Children’s Theatre Workshop’s Brown Bag Players. Bring lunch or snack. Sat.-Sun., 11:30 a.m. Also Sat., 2 p.m. Ends Sun. $6.

The Prodigal Sister (Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A., [323] 732-4283). J.E. Franklin’s musical about teen pregnancy, rebellion, self-discovery and unconditional love of one’s family. With youth ages 9 to 20. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m. Ends May 19. $15-$20.

Puppetolio (Santa Monica Puppet and Magic Center, 1255 2nd St., Santa Monica, [310] 656-0483). “Puppeteer Steve Meltzer’s musical puppet variety show is very light but disarming” (L.H.). Sun., 1 and 3 p.m. Indefinitely. $6.50.

Rapunzel (Warner Grand Storefront Annex, 464 W. 6th St., San Pedro, [310] 832-5871). Strings & Things Puppet Theatre. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. Ends May 26. $5-$7.

Sesame Street Live: Everyone Makes Music (Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 740-2000, [714] 556-2787, Ext. 6677). “There’s a fresh, friendly sparkle in this Muppet stage extravaganza with Elmo, Big Bird and friends” (L.H.). Today, 7 p.m.; Fri., 10:30 a.m., 7 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 4:30 p.m. Ends Sun. (Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, May 23-26, Long Beach Terrace Theatre, May 30-June 2.) $15-$25.

Snow White (Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank, [818] 955-8101). “A breezy, comic diversion by Thorin Alexander, staged with a light touch by Hope Alexander and performed by a solid adult cast led by Lenore Thomas” (L.H.). Sat., 1 and 3 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. Ends June 16. $10.

Story Time Saturdays (Brown Brothers Building, 455 6th St., San Pedro, [310] 217-7596). Little Fish Theatre Company’s readings of children’s books. Sat. and May 25., 10 and 11 a.m. $3; two for $5; parents free.

Storytelling With Jennifer and Jon (Children’s Book World, 105801/2 W. Pico Blvd., L.A., [310] 559-2665). The founding members of imagination station children’s theater perform for youngsters ages 3 to 8. Sat. only, 10:30 a.m. Free.

The Wizard of Oz (Robert A. Millikan High School, 2800 Snowden Ave, Long Beach, [800] 400-2985). Musical Youth Artist Repertory Theatre. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Ends May 18. $11-$13.