Children's Theater

Masque Unit Junior Theatre presents Cinderella, its 48th live musical production for children. Written and adapted by Jim Eiler from Charles Perrault’s beloved classic, the story is presented through the eyes of a wise, comical Fairy Godmother. She and her fairy helpers create potions like the Sneeze Polka to aid an honest and unpretentious Cinderella in overcoming her domineering stepmother and zany stepsisters. Prince Charming, his near-sighted father, an enchanted coach, a glass slipper, and catchy original music add to this tale where love and forgiveness triumph over jealousy and ambition. Audiences will leave smiling and humming the whimsical melodies for days to come.

Public performances take place at the Marin Center's Showcase Theater on Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7 at 1 and 3 pm. Tickets are $8, and you can order them by calling Marin Center Box Office at (415) 499-6800

Masque Unit Junior Theater of Marin was established in 1961 by a group of women who saw a need to provide live theater experiences at a reasonable cost for the youth of Marin County. Masque Unit is a non-profit organization of volunteers who combine their talents in costuming, writing, choreography, set design, producing and on-stage performing. Learn more about Masque Unit at www.masqueunit.org.

Stark Ravens Historical Players present Panto! The Musical Fairy Tale Adventure on February 13, 14, 20, and 21, at the Little Theater on the Drake High School campus, 1327 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in San Anselmo. Matinee show times are 11:30 am and 2:30 pm Saturdays and Sundays.

This all-new Panto! delivers an outrageously original twist to some traditional fairy tale favorites. By sewing together Cinderella, Aladdin, the Big Bad Wolf, enchanting fairies and more, it delivers a refreshing family tour-de-force which gets all ages laughing and singing. The second major musical panto from Bay Area-based Stark Ravens Historical Players, this original show will help introduce Americans to traditional British pantomime. This year's program will again feature a Punch and Judy puppet show prior to curtain time.

Advance discount tickets $15; $20 at the door. Children 4 and under are free with accompanying adult. Visit www.pantomarin.com for more information and to order tickets online. You can also purchase tickets at Doodlebug (641 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo) and D'Lynne's Dancewear (1850 4th Street, San Rafael).

The popular Broadway musical Le Miserables will be performed by some of of Marin’s most talented young performers at the Marin Center’s Showcase Theater in San Rafael. Directed by Sharon Boucher, Le Miserables is presented by San Rafael Community Services, San Rafael Young Performers Theatre, Mill Valley Parks and Recreation, and Pied Piper Productions.

Featuring music by Claude-Michel Schoenberg and based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is an epic saga that sweeps through three turbulent decades in 19th-century France. It's also one of Broadway's longest running musicals.

The show runs from Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26. Thursday and Friday shows: 7:30 pm; Saturday shows: 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Sunday shows: 1 pm and 5 pm. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door, and can be purchased through the Marin Center Box Office, (415) 499-6800.

One of Marin County's most beloved unique events is the famous Mountain Play—an outdoor theater experience on the slopes of Mt. Tamalpais that's been going strong for 96 years. 2009's Mountain Play production is the Tony Award-winning Man of La Mancha, a musical loosely based on both the 16th-century novel Don Quixote and the life of its author, Miguel de Cervantes.

Man of La Mancha features some of Broadways most unforgettable songs, including The Impossible Dream, Dulcinea, and I Don Quixote. It's directed by Mountain Play veteran and long time College of Marin drama professor James Dunn.

Shows take place at 1 pm in Mt. Tam's Cushing Memorial Amphitheater on May 24 and 31, and June 7, 13, 14, and 21. There's pre-show entertainment beginning at 11 am, consisting of Spanish, European, and Latin American music performed by local talent, in keeping with the play's Spanish setting. There will also be family entertainment before each of the six performances, including puppet shows by Randel Metz and face painting by the Tam High drama department.

The beloved and classic story, The Wizard of OZ comes to life as Sharon Boucher brings Marin’s talented children and adults together to perform this lively production. Bring the entire family to watch Dorothy and Toto meet the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow on their way to the beautiful Emerald City. The North Bay Rep and San Rafael Community Services Department presents The Wizard of Oz starting on March 6. The performance times and dates are listed below:

• Fridays: March 6, 13 & 20 at 7:30 pm

• Saturdays: March 7, 14 & 21 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm

• Sunday: March 22 at 3:00 pm

Ticket prices are $15 General Admission for 3 years and up. Tickets available at the San Rafael Community Center or by phone at (415) 485-3333 or online. The San Rafael Community Center is located at 618 B Street in San Rafael.

Masque Unit Junior Theater of Marin presents its 47th theater production, The Emperor's New Clothes. The Emperor's New Clothes, based on the classic fable by Hans Christian Anderson, is Masque Unit Junior Theater of Marin's annual musical production for young children. This production brings to life the hilarious story of an overly fashion-conscious emperor, and his royal court, and two clever swindlers posing as tailors. The catchy tunes and comedic dialogue will delight audiences both young and old alike.

The Emperor's New Clothes will be performed on March 7 and 8 at 1 and 3 pm at the Marin Center's Showcase Theater. Tickets are $8 per person, and can be purchased through the Marin Center Box Office at (415) 499-6800.

Masque Unit Junior Theater of Marin was established in 1961 by a group of women who saw a need to provide live theater experiences at a reasonable cost for the youth of Marin County. Masque Unit is a non-profit organization of volunteers who combine their talents in costuming, writing, choreography, set design, producing and on-stage performing.

Based on the popular series of children’s books by Jeff Brown, The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley is a whirlwind sixty-minute musical travelogue that will have parents and children scouring the globe with Stanley, meeting new and diverse friends from South Africa, Mexico and beyond!

Stanley Lambchop is a normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill kid. But one night while he’s sleeping, the bulletin board on the wall above his head comes loose and falls right on top of Stanley. The next morning he wakes up flat! Not just flat… but really flat! Stanley thinks it isn’t too bad at first because he can slide under doors, he’s the best at playing Hide-and-Seek, and his friends can fly him as a kite, but finally Stanley decides to do something about his unusual condition. The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley will take the audience along with Stanley as he mails himself off in an envelope to travel the world in hopes of finding a solution to his very curious problem!

Join Thomas the Tank Engine, Percy, Sir Topham Hat, and the other denizens of the Island of Sodor at the Marin Center for Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes to Town. This 90-minute musical stage show extravaganza comes to San Rafael on Monday, March 9 at 7 pm and Tuesday, March 10 at 4 and 7 pm.

Tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices range from $12.50 to $55. For more information and to order tickets go to the Marin Center's website or call (415) 499-6800. Marin Center Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 am to 5 pm. You can also order tickets online via Ticketmaster.