Slapstick, sans slap?

Good news for The Three Stooges fans: Magic Circle Theatre’s children’s production of The Elves and the Shoemaker pays tribute to the comic talents of Larry, Curly and Moe with a madcap tale about a struggling shoemaker and three not-so-helpful elves. Potentially confusing news for The Three Stooges fans: The theater promises to evoke The Three Stooges without the use of “finger-poking and head-bopping.” At first take, one wonders how this could be possible. However, further thought reveals this to be a perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to Stooge-style physical humor without having to dodge their imitative slaps and eye jabs for days afterward. The lively family production is playing at the Tower Theatre, 421 Vernon Street in Roseville, through November 22. Shows are on Saturdays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6, and all ages are welcome. Call (916) 782-1777 for more information.