3/29–4/19
The Herberger Theater's got a mouse in the house, but there's no need to break out the traps. Not only is this rodent a well-regarded literary figure, but she's got a knack for accessorizing. Childsplay's stage adaptation of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, based on Kevin Henkes' popular children's book, opens Saturday, March 29. The play finds Lilliputian Lilly getting a lesson in patience when her teacher seizes the prized purse for an entire school day.
Kids' tail: Childsplay's got a brand–new bag.
Mark Poutenis
Magic wand: Things get Harry at Symphony Hall.
Earthworms are easy: The Worm Drive ground crew.
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Lilly's pad is Herberger's Stage West, 222 East Monroe, where Saturday and Sunday performances continue through April 19. Tickets are $19 for adults, $15 for children and seniors – and on April 6, all Lillys of the Valley (children ages 3 to 10 named Lilly, that is) can attend the 5 p.m. show for free. Call 602-252-8497 for tickets.
And for Lilly's most fervent fans, Childsplay Academy offers a behind-the-scenes "day-of-the-play" class at 11 a.m. April 12. Children ages 4 and 5 and their parents will explore Lilly's world through story dramatization and other activities. The $60 parent-child fee ($50 for Tempe residents) includes a two-hour workshop, backstage tour and two tickets to the play. Call 480-350-8101 to register.– Jill Koch
Sun 3/30
Magic Numbers
You gotta give that Harry Potter kid credit. First he inspired your kids to read; now he's luring them to the symphony. At 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30, the Phoenix Symphony presents Symphony and the Sorcerer, a Family Series concert featuring The Sorcerer's Apprentice and music from the Harry Potter films. Magicians provide pre-concert entertainment at Symphony Hall, 225 East Adams. Call 602-495-1999 or see www.phoenixsymphony.org for tickets, $10 to $12. – Jill Koch
Sat 3/29
Soil Barons
Musical ground crew digs the earthworm
This Saturday morning, the bookworms at Tempe's Changing Hands Bookstore will be particularly earthy, as Worm Drive, The Musical gets down and dirty. Targeted to children in kindergarten through fifth grade, the "agricultural, educational and musical masterpiece" teaches about soil and water conservation through music, interactive skits and earthworm handling. Farmers Ron and John, along with their fellow Worm Drive players, explain how the earthworm positively affects soil and food – and how, in the big picture, that means strong humans and a healthy planet.Worm Drive begins at 11 a.m. March 29 at the bookstore, 6428 South McClintock. Call 480-730-1142 or see www.wormdrivemusical.com for details.– Jill Koch
Wed 4/2
Magnet School
Library workshop attracts curious kids
Middle-school kids – attracted to magnets? As part of the Satellite Science series, Phoenix Public Libraries present a Magnetic Levitation Workshop from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at the Saguaro Branch, 2808 North 46th Street. Participants are challenged with building a magnetically levitated vehicle similar to trains being developed for mass transit. Want to levitate your bed, build a hoverbike, suck the aura off a hippie? Test the maglev principles at this workshop. All eight Satellite Science sessions travel at the speed of... well, electrons, so consult the library's Web site at phoenixpubliclibrary.org for the schedule. One more experiment: Tell your parents that magnetic levitation reduces household friction. Maybe they'll send you to the library in a limo. For details call 602-262-6802.- Kim Toms
