Here’s a roundup of some current live theater offerings specifically for children, now through the end of the holiday season:
“Seussical”: The whimsical world of Dr. Seuss comes to the Arvada Center stage. Classic stories including “Horton Hears a Who,” “Gertrude McFuzz” and “The Cat in the Hat” collide in this musical narrated by a boy named Jojo, “a thinker of strange and wonderful thinks.” 10 a.m. and noon most weekdays through Dec. 28; 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. most Saturdays; 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. most Sundays. Note: No performances Nov. 15-27. Recommended for ages 4 and older. $8-$10. 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., 720-898-7200 or .
“The Santa Rescue”: The Heritage Square Music Hall ensemble will be exhorting the youngsters’ holiday help from Nov. 22-Dec. 27. Without them, Christmas may never come again. 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. select Saturdays. Recommended for ages 4 and older. $5-$6. 18301 W. Colfax Ave., Golden, 303-279-7800 or .
“The Gift of the Magi”: It is Christmas in New York. But for two penniless young lovers, the prospects are bleak until both part with their most precious possessions — she, her beautiful hair; he, his heirloom watch — to buy presents for one another. O. Henry’s famous story about making a magical moment in the cold, impersonal city. At Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s Kids Kabaret, 10 a.m. most Wednesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m. most Saturdays through Dec. 20. Recommended for preschool through grade 5. $6-$7. 5501 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303-449-6000 or .
Denver Puppet Theatre’s “African Animal Tales” (three African stories featuring a tricky spider named Anansi) through Nov. 30; followed by “The Snow Queen” (the journey of a little girl hero who saves her friend from the icy Snow Queen) Dec. 4-Feb. 1. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays; 1 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Recommended for children ages 3 and older. $6. 3156 W. 38th Ave., 303-458-6446 or .
“Trunks”: Buntport’s ongoing, biweekly serial about three young superheroes (and their parrot) cleaning up the streets of Dendiggityopolis. New episodes every other Saturday, based on audience suggestions, through April 4. Next episodes 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. Recommended for ages 4 and up. $4-$6. 717 Lipan St., 720-946-1388 or .
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”: A stage adaptation of the Roald Dahl story. Join Charlie Bucket, Violet Beauregarde and Veruca Salt on their adventurous tour of Willy Wonka’s famous factory. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays from Nov. 21-Dec. 21. $12-$22. Victorian Playhouse, 4201 Hooker St., 303-433-4343 or .
“Fables: Old and New”: Imagination Makers, which normally brings professional theater directly to schools, presents a rare public performance at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Boulder Public Library. This original musical first dramatizes traditional Aesop’s fables, then shows student-written, modern variations of those same tales. The young fable writers include a boy who was once blind and a girl who was once homeless. Audience members are invited to wear pajamas. Recommended for ages 5-12. Free. 11th and Canyon streets, Boulder, 720-565- 1055 or .
“Aladdin and the Glass Slipper”: Aladdin meets Cinderella in this musical written and directed by David and Julie Payne. A mysterious peddler befriends a street urchin on the run from a pesky genie who is desperately trying to retrieve his magic lamp. Add to the chase a young girl and her addled fairy godmother. Dec. 13-28. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays, 1 p.m. and either 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. Sundays, at the Backstage Theatre, 121 S. Ridge St., Breckenridge. Recommended for all ages. 970-453-0199 or .
Coming soon: A roundup of all holiday-themed theater for all ages.
John Moore: 303-954-1056 or jmoore@denverpost.com
