Phooey on You!

A rebellious princess, a collection of hilarious chambermaids and stable boys, and a handsome prince populate TADA! Youth Theater’s world premiere presentation of the musical Princess Phooey (April 24-May 18), featuring books and lyrics by Lisa Diana Shapiro and music by Eric Rockwell. If you’d rather take a trip down the rabbit hole then try The New Acting Company production of Alice in Wonderland (April 25-May-25) at the Philip Coltoff Center.

This month, an astounding set of gymnasts join a super-star collection of choreographers to explore the full range of the human form in Aeros (April 11-27) at the New Victory Theater. Teamed up with a pulsating original score, these athletes perform feats that defy gravity and expectation. For more acrobatics, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts hosts The Golden Dragon Acrobats (April 13), recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premiere acrobat troupe from the People’s Republic of China. Combining acrobatics and traditional dance with ancient and contemporary music, their show has plenty to amaze your children.

Teatro SEA presents a bilingual adaptation of Los Tres Cerditos/The Three Little Pigs (April 19-May 3) at Los Kabayitos Puppet and Children’s Theatre. Action, adventure, Salsa, and other Latin musical styles keep this play dancing through the happy ending. Meanwhile, Manhattan Children’s Theatre will bring Laura Joffe Numeroff’s entertaining book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie to life (April 5-May 18). Join the mayhem as one question sets off a hilarious chain of events. For a new look at the story of Passover, One Giant Leap (April 12) at the Upper West Side Jewish Community Center explores everything after the Israelites safely cross the Red Sea. How will they survive in the treacherous desert, and when is dinner?

Learn about determination and achieving goals in The Silly Jellyfish (April 5) at the Leon M. Goldstein Arts Center. When the Silly Jellyfish tries to help a lovesick sea dragon find his mate, it sets off a big adventure with two nine foot tall dragons, an octopus made of dyer ventilation hose, and a 40-foot long whale. If your kids like puppets and jazz, then take a chance with The Cat Who Went to Heaven (through April 12), directed by Will Pomerantz with music and lyrics by Nancy Harrow. The story follows a struggling Japanese artist, his housekeeper, a Buddhist priest, and an inspirational cat. You can also give your children a taste of traditional Japanese culture with Tamagawa University Taiko Dance Group (April 2) at the Miller Theatre at Columbia University. Combining high-energy Taiko drumming and Japanese folkloric dance, this company has been touring the world since 1961.

The Symphony Space also has a few family offerings this month, including Hot Peas N’ Butter (April 5), who your kids might recognize from Nickelodeon or XM and Satellite Radio. Also, Tom Chapin (April 12) will bring his Grammy Award-winning music that spans generations and styles with happy songs and sing-alongs.