Here’s the scenario. You have kids, or your niece and nephew are in town, or your best couple friends are off on a romantic getaway and you’ve volunteered to baby sit the cherubs. City Island is great but you just went there. The Senators are out of town. You’ve already seen all the G and PG new releases. You’re hungry for something with a cultural side.

Well, here are four choices from area playhouses that will entertain everyone who can still reach down inside and at least glimpse his or her inner child. It doesn’t hurt that they’re easy on your wallet, too.

In fact, these are so promising that once you’ve read about them, you just might call a friend to borrow a kid if you don’t have one under roof. Go for it; it will give you a new perspective.

Mary Poppins
York Little Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
May 12–14
854-5715
Everyone knows the familiar scene as Mary Poppins floats down into the gray streets of London to save Jane and Michael Banks from the dreadful fate of yet one more mean old unimaginative nanny. The beloved story will come to life May 12-14 at Stallman Auditorium, York Little Theatre.

A cast of fifteen was chosen from auditions held in early March; Mary will be played by Christie Brooks, Jane and Michael by Pam Sechrist and Ben Detrick, and Mr. And Mrs. Banks by Jason Brubaker and Jamie Tyrell. Children and adults alike are sure to be charmed by the zoo animals portrayed by children, magical happenings that surprise the audience, and the fun items Mary pulls from her carpetbag.

Mary Poppins is the last in the York Little Theatre’s 1999-2000 Children’s Series. General admission is $6.00 for all ages and performances are 1 and 4 p.m. matinees.

Beauty and the Beast
Theatre Harrisburg
The Stage 2 Theatre,
Whitaker Center, Harrisburg
May 19– 21
232-5501
This comic and poignant retelling of the classic tale, re-written by local playwright Steve Glatfelter, is a new twist on the timeless love story between a prince who has been turned into an ugly beast and the beautiful girl who meets him because she sacrifices herself for her father’s freedom, and frees him by loving him by who he is on the inside.

The production includes sword fighting, a silly chef, three witches, a loving mother, bumbling and selfish sisters, and naturally the powerful love story.

For women who just don’t understand how Belle comes to find the Beast worth all that effort, come out and find your answer at Whitaker.

Performances are Friday at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.; tickets are $6.00 for all ages.

Little Red Riding Hood
Popcorn Hat Players
Strawberry Square, Harrisburg
May 10–June 17
238-4111
Did you know that wolves have never eaten a human being in the United States, Canada, Europe, or anywhere else for that matter? They’re really not interested; they in fact don’t like humans as an hors d’euvre or a main course. But that doesn’t stop children from quaking at the notion of the big teeth, "the better to eat you with," chomping down on Little Red Riding Hood’s little girl head.

For an up-dated, hilarious spoof of this classic fairy tale, check out those outrageous Popcorn Hat Players in their most recent rewrite of a favorite. Players claim that this version is "sure to keep you on the right path." It’s geared to children ages 2 – 10 and their families — or that inner child of your own.

Shows are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m. Doors open one-half hour before the show and there will be an extra performance Friday, June 9, at 1 p.m.

And by the way, Popcorn Hat Players will be holding Summer Theatre Camp June 13 – 23 with a final presentation June 24. Camp is suitable for children ages 5 and up.

Admission to Little Red Riding Hood is $4.00 for all ages.

Aladdin and His Magic Lamp
Lancaster Hole in the Wall
Puppet Theatre, Lancaster
394-8398
This one-man puppet show, written and performed by Robert Brock, is an original script worthy of the famous market squares in Europe where puppeteers are perennially surrounded by eager children and their amused parents. Some characters in this play will be recognized from The Tales of the Arabian Night, but the real focus of the puppet show is Aladdin himself. Brock has run this show before; in fact, it opened at the Fulton Opera House, and has been very popular with children and parents alike. It runs 35 minutes, which is the perfect length for those squirmy toddlers who tend to get bored with anything much longer.

The Hole in the Wall Puppet Theatre will also be producing The Wizard of Oz, which will run July 10 – August 11.

Showings are Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Tickets are $6.00 for all.