0l: 3oz oz3at 6= Ez t oA host of children's theater productions usher in a great SeaSOn BYMTcHAEL err,Tz arents who want to get their kids excited about the theater have lots of blockbusters to choose from on Broadway already ("The Lion King," "Mary Poppins') And in November, "The Little Mermaid" begins previews as "Dr.</p><p> Seuss'How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" retums for what looks like an annual engagement.</p><p> Even'Young Frankenstein" might get l2-year-olds to put down their Game Boys and start Puttin' on the Ritz But families focusing only on mega-events may miss out on a remarkable range of entertaining, chal- lenging and fun theater being created by a host of original companies across the city.</p><p> With styles rang- ing from puppetry to comedy to socially aware dra- mas and sophisticated musicals that encourage cre- ativity and imagination, children's theater is stronger than ever.</p><p> Here's a quick hopscotch around town for some of the fall offerings MANHATTAN CHILDREN'S TH EATRE QU) 226-4085: www.manhattanchildrenstheatre.oro ll CT is enterinS its sixth season wirh an adaptation ot Margaret lvl Wise Brown s classic "Goodnight Moon" on the heels of its I lrecent,immensely popularproductionot"Go.</p><p> Dogco!" The hour-iong "0o9," with a cast of half a dozen tail-and-earred performers (plus a bemused accordion player) "wasn't your typical fairy tale," says Laura Stevens, who co-founded l\4CT with Bruce Merrill, who helmed that show "lt took all the elements of theater and really made imagination be a central part of it.</p><p> The music was fantastic and the costumes were great.</p><p> We're going to bring it back.</p><p> We've had other shows that would sell out the whole run But that one ws oacked." Still amded that a theater company dedicated to children's progmmming can make a go of it - MCT hd a generous, not-a- bad-seat-in-the-house location at 52 White St., nestled between Tribeca and Chinatown - Stevens is excited about pushing the boundaries of what people can expect from kid's theater with "coodnight Moon," which is cutrently running through Dec. 9.</p><p> Following that will be "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse," from Dec. 15 to Feb. 3, 2008; "Hansel & Gretel," Feb. 9 to March 30; " ild the .: return of 'lf YouE ; c o FooN @ o ! Eo Eo@ o ! -a. utve aSTAGE,._ \ Mouse a Cookie" from April 5 to May 18, the show from Laura Numeroff's book that MCT audiences ate up last year. "Our music director is just going crazy on the harmonies for 'Moon,"' Stevens says "lt's beautiful, but it's definitely taking it to another level Children deserue the best, just like adults do." THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY (21 2 ) 63 3 - 6629 ; w w. ch i I d re n sth e atrec o m p a ny. o r g ll any children's lheater compilies ofler acting classes and lll workshoOs, or Oerform "pocket" shows in schools to reach I lnewaudiences.</p><p> ButChildren'sTheatreCompanyisespecially active, with after-school programs that benefit from careful planning, parental involvement and high-quality productions.</p><p> The CTC approach is working at a handful of schools in the city and expanding throughout the country, says Mehr Mansouri, who co-founded the group with Roya Movafegh.</p><p> And what happens off the stage is just 6 important as what happens on it. "Our whole goal is to have a theatrical'think tank,'where the kids are not only participating in what kind of world they want, but they also become the voices of positive change," says Mansouri."When they do these musicals, an adult audience listens to the themes with a different view" Mansouri talks passionately about the impact theater can have on kids and says auditions for the next season will take place this month and next month, with performances in January and February at its main space in the Village.</p><p> But CTC is active in the schools and community year-round. "We want the kids to use the theater to transform themselves and their community," Mansouri says.</p><p> CZECHOSLOVAK-AM ERICAN MARIONETTE THEATRE Q1D n7-3891; wwwczechmaionet'tes.org ith shows typically suitable for ages 5 to 105, the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre isn't just stringing along the art of puppetry - it's hoisting it to new levels.</p><p> Anyone who thinks Howdy Doody is what puppeky still amounts to will be amazed at what a captivating, classic and unique experience genuine marionette theater can be.</p><p> Founder Vit Horejs, a veteran puppeteer, founded CAMT after discovering a dusty box filled with antique marionettes in a church sitting in the heart of the fading Czech community on the upper East Side.</p><p> He says he enjoys the frisson of combining live actors with marionettes. "Has somebody joined us from the audience?" Horejs says. "Yes, some of the puppeteers saw our shows over the years and then wanted to join us." A recent revival of "Faust" just concluded.</p><p> Up next from the smart, literary-minded company is "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" in November at lane's Carousel. 56 Water St.</p><p> NEW VICTORY THEATER (U6) 223 - 3020 : ww. newicto ry.org jewel of a space on 42nd St., the restored New Victory is the highest-profile space dedicated to children's theater.</p><p> Virtually any time ofthe year, you can 90 to the New Victory and be assured of an engaging production cherry-picked from around the world.</p><p> Upcoming productions include "Comet in Moominland," a combination of puppetry and live actors based on the quirky best- selling kid's books, Sept. 28 through Oct 14; "The Wolves in the Wall," based on the creepy Neil caiman book, Oct. 5-21, and the Golden Dragon Acrobats from China, Nov 30 through Jan. 6, among manyothershows a
