THEATER PREVIEW:

A pair of iconic children’s literature superheroes will be flying in next weekend as two local theaters take the wraps off their summer productions, both aimed primarily at younger audiences.

South Coast Repertory’s Summer Players, members of the company’s Theater Conservatory, will stage a musical version of “Peter Pan,” while the magic carpet guy himself, Aladdin, touches down at the Newport Theatre Arts Center.

The SCR production is a culmination of at least a year of classroom work in the conservatory and four weeks of rehearsal, interacting with professional designers and technicians.

“They’ll discover the actor’s responsibility within the process and have a chance to ‘grow’ a show by performing for multiple audiences,” remarked director Hisa Takakuwa. “Because this is a musical version of the story, they’ll learn how music helps tell the story and create the characters.”

“Peter Pan” was adapted by Timothy Mason from the popular J. M. Barrie story, and the music should be pretty good — the composer’s name is Hiram Titus. Erin McNally is musical director for the SCR production.

Performances will be 1 and 4 p.m. Aug. 9, 10, 16 and 17 in the Nicholas Studio, located between South Coast Repertory’s two main stages. Tickets, at $9, may be purchased through the box office at (714) 708-5555 or online at www.scr.org.

Meanwhile, at the Newport Theatre Arts Center, director Terri Miller Schmidt returns after a two-year absence from the summer production to stage the youth show “Aladdin and His Wonderful, Magical Lamp.”

A large cast of young people is headed by Matthew Yee in the title role, with Allison Sheppard playing his love interest, Princess Jasmine. Parker Lewis is Aladdin’s mischievous monkey, and Jack Millis and John Gillies play the evil brothers Jammal and Hal.

“Ron Yee and his entire family are involved in this production of ‘Aladdin,’” director Schmidt says. “His son Matthew is playing Aladdin, his daughter Rebecca is playing Genie of the Ring, his other son Zach is playing the Genie of the Jewels and his wife, Peggy, is stage managing. Ron is producing.

“I have know this family for probably 10 years or so and have watched all the kids grow up in front of my eyes, and there could not be a better role model for their kids than these two parents,” she declares.

Performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with 3 p.m. matinees Saturdays through Aug. 17, and 2 p.m. matinees Sunday Aug. 10 and 17 at the theater, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach. Tickets are $12 for all ages and may be reserved by calling (949) 631-0288.

OCC will take the wraps off its annual summer musical Friday when the sci-fi movie spoof “Little Shop of Horrors” arrives for a two-weekend stint.

Rick Golson directs the tale of a young flower shop worker who raises a man-eating plant. Beth Hansen is musical director and the plant, “Audrey II,” has been created by Brenda Scaglione.

The production, being staged in the Drama Lab Theatre, is presented by the OCC Foundation as part of the college’s 60th anniversary celebration. Due to its scary nature, the show is not recommended for young children.

Curtain is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 and may be reserved online at www.occtickets.com or by calling (714) 432-5880.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear Thursdays.