Productions for children among theater openings

Performances will be daily (except Sunday) starting Wednesday and continuing through May 6 in the Babcock Theatre on the U. campus (lower level of the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre).

Lilly — the self-proclaimed "Queen of Everything" — is a passionate mouse. (Henkes' latest addition to this series of "mouse books" is "Lilly's Big Day," released just last month.)

Directed by Amy Oakeson, the cast of "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" includes three adult actors and 10 youths, ages 9-14. Those in key roles include Madison Dutson, 11, of Wasatch Elementary, in the title role; local actor Glen Carpenter as Mr. Slinger, her favorite teacher; John Michael Duffy and Laurent Backman as Lilly's best friends, Chester and Wilson; and Caitlyn Meyer as her obnoxious cousin, Garland.

Evening performances are 7:30 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5-$10, available in advance at 581-7100, www.kingtix.com or at the Kingsbury Hall box office.

Directed by Jon Baty, the plot is set during the early days of the venue, where the basement has been flooded by the Great Salt Lake, causing unexpected events to occur. A young, emerging actress is set to marry a recently returned missionary — but her newfound fame brought on by a mysterious "tutor" could bring both her romance and the theater to ruins.

The cast includes Stephani Nielsen as Christine, Eric Armstrong as the Phantom, Scott Butler as Raoul Marriott, Eric Jensen as Reginald St. Reginald and Wendy Asay as Madame Carlotta.