So many stage productions, so little time. And many are family-oriented, making this the ideal time to introduce youngsters to the world of live theater.

For your consideration:

'CHARLIE BROWN'

The "Peanuts" gang of comic-strip characters — Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Sally and others, and of course, Charlie Brown — come to life in the family musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." Kris Fitzgerald, an M.F.A. directing candidate at the University of Hawai'i, directs.

Opening night — that's tonight — is Loving Linus Night. Bring a new or gently used, clean blanket and get a discount admission of $16 (usually given only to seniors and military). The blankets will be donated to the Children's Justice Center, IHS and Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, today through April 15 at Paliku Theatre on the Windward Community College campus. Tickets are $19 general, $16 for those 62 and older and military, and $9 for children and students. www.eTicketHawaii.com, 235-7433.

'WINGS OF THE ISLANDS'

Lisa Matsumoto's "Wings of the Islands," which first entered the stage scene in 2002, returns to the spotlight. The 50-minute program of song, dance and puppetry teaches kids about maintaining the harmony of nature and celebrates Earth Month.

Music and lyrics are by Roslyn; Matsumoto and Tamara Montgomery directs. "Wings" is presented by 'Ohi'a Productions.

Free previews are at 2 p.m. Saturday, and 6 p.m. Wednesday and April 19 and 27 at Ala Moana's Centerstage.

Full-production show times are 7 p.m. April 14-15, 21, 28- 29 at the Honolulu Zoo's main meadow stage. Tickets are $10 general; $9 for students 13 and older, 65 and older, military and zoo members; $5 for ages 3-12; and free for 2 and younger. www.ohia.org.

'TALES' FOR TODDLERS

Toddlers are the target audience of "Tales of Old Hawai'i," full of handmade puppets, interactive songs, movement and storytelling, presented by the Honolulu Theatre for Youth.

It's the tale of young Kalei, who comes to understand the importance of her native Hawaiian culture through implements such as a kapa beater, poi pounder and water gourd.

The play was adapted by Nara Cardenas and BullDog from "The Legend of the Kua Kapa," one of Roy Kakulu Alameida's "Stories of Old Hawai'i." It stars HTY's Cynthia See; BullDog directs.

Showtimes are 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, today through May 13, at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral. The 11:30 a.m. May 13 show will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Admission is $8; free for keiki under 2. www.htyweb.org, 839-9885.

'THE MIKADO'

Ko-Ko, Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo and the rest of the denizens of the fictional (and fun-to-say) town of Titipu hit the stage in Punahou School's production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado." The Japan-inspired operetta, about star-crossed lovers, will be given lavish treatment that includes a cast of 43, live musical accompaniment and a new set. Paul Palmore directs.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-April 15 and April 20-22 at Punahou School's Dillingham Hall; doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets — $10 general, $5 for students and seniors — are available an hour before each show or at the Sullivan Administration Building 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. www.punahou.edu/theatre/productions, 944-5829.

'NOTHING SERIOUS'

The all-student production of Rich Orloff's "Nothing Serious," a comedic collection of shorts about relationships, continues this weekend and next. It's directed by Paul Cravath.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. today and Saturday and Thursday-April 15 at Leeward Community College Lab Theatre. Admission is $7, an hour before curtain. 455-0549.

'PIPPIN' MUSICAL

"Pippin," the musical about a prince looking for meaning in his life, is Chaminade University's spring production.

The show continues at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at Mamiya Theatre. Tickets are $10 general, $5 students, seniors, Chaminade faculty/staff and family members. 735-4827.

BROADWAY MUSICAL

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical hit about the biblical Joseph and his jealous brothers, is offered by the Kamehameha Schools' Kapalama Campus Performing Arts Department.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. today and Saturday and April 14 and 22; 2 p.m. Sunday and April 15 and 23; and 8 p.m. April 21 at the Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani Auditorium. Admission is $5 general, $3 students. 842-8496.

'ARSENIC AND OLD LACE'

"Arsenic and Old Lace," the comedy best known from the classic film starring Cary Grant, features fine-arts students of Maryknoll High School. It's about a theater critic and his two sweetly murderous aunts. Stephanie Conching directs.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday at Bacelot Hall at Sacred Heart Church, Maryknoll School; seating begins at 7 p.m. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 general, $3 students. 952-7299.