With the holidays almost here, three family shows are opening in the area.

* St. Thomas More School in Munster presents the premiere of "Cookie! A Half-baked Musical." When a cookie is smashed to bits on Main Street, wild rumors turn a minor mishap into a calamity of astronomical proportions. According to playwright and director, Kristen Estes, "Cookie!" is a fairly simple story that has fun while making a valid point about the downside of unsubstantiated gossip." Catch "Cookie!" tonight and tomorrow only in the St. Thomas More gymnasium. FYI: (219) 836-8610, ext. 338.

* Over in Valparaiso, "Willie Wonka" opens tonight and runs through Dec. 6 at Chicago Street Theatre. Your family will love this imaginative tale -- experiencing Charlie's excitement and wonder in the Chocolate Factory. FYI: (219) 464-1636.

* Your family can have a breakfast or dinner buffet with Santa at special performances of "A Christmas Carol" presented by the Theatre for Young Audiences at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace Nov. 19 to Dec. 21. FYI: (630) 530-0111.

Hammond Community Theatre will hold open auditions for the dark comedy, "Betty's Summer Vacation" from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday at Beatniks on Conkey. There are roles for nine adults. All performers must be at least 18 years old. FYI: (219) 838-6464 or hammondcommunitytheatre.org

If you don't like Mel Brooks, definitely skip "Young Frankenstein." If the original 1974 movie starring Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle made you laugh, you'll love this musical adaptation.

Frederick Frankenstein (Roger Bart) has spent his whole life ignoring his infamous grandfather. He plans to sell the castle, but when he arrives in Transylvania, he meets Igor (Cory English), who has already hired Inga (Anne Horak) as lab assistant. Odd things keep happening -- Igor's hump seems to move from side to side; horses whinny whenever anyone says the name of the strange housekeeper, Frau Blucher (Joanna Glushak). Of course, Frederick finds his grandfather's lab, reads his journals, and decides to duplicate his experiments. The Monster (Shuler Hensley) comes to life just in time to scare the suspicious villagers.

I loved the clever lyrics in Frederick's wistful song "The Brain." The bawdy lyrics in "Roll in the Hay" and Frau Blucher's rendition of "He Vas My Boyfriend" cracked me up. My absolute favorite moment -- Frederick and The Monster in tuxedos dancing and singing to Irving Berlin's "Puttin' on the Ritz." "Young Frankenstein" runs through Dec. 13 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. FYI: ticketmaster.com

The opinions expressed are solely the writer's. Reach her at laughingcat_98@yahoo.com.