The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites

Opening Friday: A trio of delightful children's books by writer and illustrator Eric Carle comes to the Children's Theatre. The titles in this 60-minute one-act are "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," "Little Cloud" and "The Mixed-up Chameleon." The books were adapted for the stage by director and designer Jim Morrow of Nova Scotia's Mermaid Theatre. The production, full of puppets illuminated by black light, offers imaginative and linguistic opportunities for toddlers. In addition to the majority of shows in English, some performances will be done in Spanish and others in French. (7 p.m. Fri., 2 & 5 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 7 p.m. Thu. Ends Feb. 23. Children's Theatre, 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. $24-$44. 612-874-0400 or www.childrenstheatre.org.)