Kid StuffThe Crayon Court Interactive puppet musical...

Kid Stuff

The Crayon Court Interactive puppet musical about color, art and music. For the whole family; created by Emmy-nominated puppeteer Thom Fountain. Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica. Sat., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m.; ends Nov. 24. $8. (818) 842-0308.

Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz Dorothy and her companions meet a vain queen, a vagabond prince, Shaggy Man and Rainbow Girl. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sat.-Sun., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 23. $9-$10. (310) 394-9779, Ext 2.

Dragon Tales Live: Missing Music Mystery The music in Dragon Land has disappeared, and it’s up to Cassie, Ord and the gang to find it, in the touring stage spectacular based on the PBS hit kids’ TV show. Kodak Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood and Highland Entertainment Complex, Hollywood. Fri., 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 4:30 p.m.; ends Sat. $15-$40. (323) 308-6363. (213) 365-3500.

The Emperor’s New Clothes Imagination Station’s fractured fairy-tale comedy. International City Theatre at Center Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Sat. only, 11 a.m. Free. (562) 436-4610.

Franklin’s Class Concert TV’s Franklin the Turtle and pals try to get ready for the annual class concert in this song-and-dance stage extravaganza for young children. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Next Sun. only, 2 and 5 p.m. $17-$22. (800) 300-4345.

A Friends B’Yachad Concert The Shirettes sing songs from their Jewish family music CD. Pages Books for Children and Young Adults, 18399 Ventura Blvd., Suite 15, Tarzana. Today only, 11:30 a.m. $2. (818) 342-6657.

Gingerbread Social The “Laura Ingalls Wilder Gingerbread Social” features musician-singer Craig Newton, who plays more than 25 instruments in his performance of “How the West Was Sung.” Costume parade for those in pioneer garb. Altadena Public Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena. Mon. only, 7 p.m. Free. (626) 798-0834.

Gold Rush Honeymoon Musical about California’s Gold Rush 49-ers. Autry Museum of Western Heritage, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. Today only, 1:30 p.m. Museum admission: $3-$7.50. (323) 667-2000.

The Golden Goose The Brown Bag Players’ audience-participatory fairy tale. Rancho Canada Elementary School, 21801 Winding Way, Lake Forest. Sat.-Sun., 11:30 a.m.; also Sat.-next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 24. $6. (949) 581-5402.

Little Red Riding Hood Storybook Theatre’s version of the tale with audience participation. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., L.A., Sat., 1 p.m.; ends Feb. 22 $8-$10. (818) 761-2203.

The Magic Mirror Players Children’s Show Raf Mauro’s comedy improv show for ages 4 to 12. New Ivar Theatre, 1605 N. Ivar Ave., Hollywood. Sun., 10:30 a.m.; indef. $7, by reservation only. (323) 660-5656.

McCabe’s: Peter Himmelman in Concert Peter Himmelman, a pop-cult favorite known for his intense, off-the-wall albums for adults, has recorded two albums for kids (“My Best Friend Is a Salamander” and “My Fabulous Plum.”) He shows his originality -- and his lighter, family-friendly side here. 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Next Sun. only, 11 a.m. $5-$10. (310) 828-4403. (310) 828-4497.

Nick Tickle, Fairy Tale Detective Goldilocks is accused of theft, but it’s all a frame, and she hires a detective to track down the truth in Steph DeFerie’s fairy tale romp. For ages 4 and up. Granada Theatre, 18167 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. Sat., 1 p.m.; ends Dec. 14. $8.50. (818) 363-6887.

The Nutcracker A holiday puppet extravaganza presented at the historic, 39-year-old Bob Baker Marionette Theater, the oldest continuously running puppet theater in the country. Birthday accommodations. Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. 1st St., L.A.. Tue.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 26. $8-$10. (213) 250-9995.

Pinocchio Original musical adaptation of the fairy tale classic. Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. Sat. only, 11 a.m. $8-$10. (818) 244-8481.

Puppetolio Puppeteer Steve Meltzer’s musical puppet variety show is very light but relaxed and disarming. Ages 3 to adult. (Fri.-Nov. 22, 4 to 8 p.m.: special “Howdy Doody Show” exhibit.) Santa Monica Puppet and Magic Center, 1255 2nd St., Santa Monica. Sun., 1 and 3 p.m.; indef.; also fifth anniversary show, this Fri., 7:30 p.m. $6.50; Fri. show, $9.50. (310) 656-0483.

The Red Balloon With music, puppetry and theater, Scotland’s Visible Fictions troupe brings Albert Lamorisse’s captivating novel-turned-Oscar-winning film about the friendship between a lonely boy and a balloon, to vibrant life. It’s a treat for adults too. Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Fri. only, 7 p.m. $14-$18. (805) 650-9688. (805) 449-2787.

Sleepy Hollow The Nine O’Clock Players’ musical based on Washington Irving’s classic. Walter Lantz Magic Auditorium, Assistance League Playhouse, 1367 N. St. Andrews Place, Hollywood. Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 24. $10. (323) 469-1970.

The Sounds of Plaid Premiere of an expanded version of “Forever Plaid,” Stuart Ross’ hit musical about a 1950s tight harmony quartet’s return from the dead for one soul-saving big gig. Ross did the adaptation himself; former “Plaid” Neil Nash, Buckley’s drama teacher, is directing the cast of 19 teens. Buckley School, 3900 Stansbury Ave., Sherman Oaks. Thu.-Sat., 6:30 p.m.; ends Sat. $10-$15. (818) 783-1610, ext. 592

Tortoise vs. Hare (This Time It’s Personal) Playwright Thorin Alexander, director Scott Marshall and a cast of polished pros infuse the familiar tale with feel-good, comic bounce. Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Sat., 1 and 3 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. through Nov. 23; then Sat., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. Ends Dec. 1. $10. (818) 955-8101.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Director Mel Stuart will introduce and sign his new book, “Pure Imagination,” on the making of the 1971 cult film. Features film clips and a display of props, and kids can transform themselves into Oompa Loompas, decorate “golden” eggs and nibble on Wonka bars. Hollywood Entertainment Museum, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. Sat., 1 p.m. (Stuart’s presentation, 3 p.m.). $4-$8.75, under 4 free. (323) 465-7900.