SoCal kids & families, July 11-18: ‘Peter Pan,’ ‘Wendy’s Peter Pan,’ ‘Charlotte’s Web’ and more
Encourage your children to learn and grow with our curated list of fun, artsy and engaging events and activities in LA and OC this coming weekend and beyond
Welcome to a new edition of TV or Not TV’s curated guide to artsy, kid-centric and family-friendly events, activities and happenings all around LA and OC this weekend and beyond. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for arts & entertainment at the Los Angeles Times.
Let’s have some fun!
‘Peter Pan’ “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up” takes flight in an updated version of the classic musical based on J.M. Barrie’s beloved fantasy tale and featuring a new book by acclaimed playwright Larissa FastHorse. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday thru July 28. $57 and up. (323) 468-1770. broadwayinhollywood.com
(Also at Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa, Aug. 6 thru 18)
‘Wendy’s Peter Pan’ Neverland is also the setting for an outdoor staging of artistic director Ellen Geer’s retelling of J.M. Barrie’s fantasy tale. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 14; other dates and times thru Oct. 4. $15-$60; pay-what-you-will (cash only at the door), Friday, July 26. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com
‘The Lion King’ The circle of life continues in a special 30th anniversary event screening of Disney’s 1994 animated musical. El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7 p.m. Thursday, July 11. $25. (800) 347-6396. elcapitantheatre.com
Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Hit stage show based on the animated 1991 musical based on the classic fairytale. Rose Center Theater, 14140 All American Way, Westminster. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays thru July 14. $20-$40. (714) 793-1150. rosecentertheater.com
‘Charlotte’s Web’ A pig named Wilbur becomes BFFs with the titular arachnid in this animated 1973 musical featuring songs by the legendary Sherman Brothers and based on the children’s book by E. B. White. New Beverly Cinema, 7165 Beverly Blvd., L.A. 10 a.m. Saturday, July 13. $11.25. thenewbev.com
Sawdust Art & Craft Festival The annual summer showcase for works and wares by local artists and artisans is up and running and also features hands-on art demonstrations plus live music, balloon artists, magicians, food and drink and more. Sawdust, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays thru Sept. 1. $5-$12; ages 5 and under free, no ticket required; passes, $29-$49. sawdustartfestival.org
‘Dino Quest’ RAWR! The dinosaurs are back in an updated version of this exhibit featuring hands-on activities including a fossil excavation site. Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Included with museum admission ($17-$22). discoverycube.org
‘Inside Out 2’ Emotions are running high in Disney and Pixar’s 2024 sequel to their animated 2015 coming-of-age comedy about a young girl’s interior and exterior lives. Kelsey Mann directs. With the voices of Maya Hawke, Amy Poehler, et al. Rated PG. Opens Friday. movies.disney.com
Butterfly Pavilion This exhibit featuring hundreds of butterflies flitting about in an outdoor netted enclosure returns for another season. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, L.A. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily thru Aug. 25 (museum closed the first Tuesday of each month). $8 plus with museum admission ($8-$17; ages 2 and younger, free). nhm.org
‘Enchanted Toy Shop’ Bob Baker’s classic and colorful puppet show is back and includes previews of three new numbers from the company’s upcoming 2025 production “Choo Choo Revue.” Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 4949 York Blvd., Highland Park. Various times, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, thru Sept. 1. $25; age 2 and under, free. (213) 250-9995. bobbakermarionettetheater.com
‘Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak’ The beloved illustrator of such classic children’s books as “Where the Wild Things Are” is celebrated in this super-sized survey of paintings, drawings, toys and more; thru Sept. 1. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Closed Monday. $8-$13; 2 and under, free; free on Thursdays. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org
‘Despicable Me 4’ Reformed supervillain Gru (Steve Carell) and his trusty Minions are back in this 2024 entry in the animated franchise. With Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin, Will Ferrell, et al. Rated PG. despicable.me