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Kiddin' Around: ‘Freckleface Strawberry the Musical’

This feel-good musical boosts big kids’ confidence.

'Freckleface Strawberry the Musical'

The long: Julianne Moore - idolized by actors, redheads, and smart parents everywhere - wrote an autobiographical storybook that became six storybooks and this 70-minute, Off-Broadway hit about a 7-year-old girl who wishes her freckles weren't so . . . different.

The short: Fun, fast, feel-good musical boldly boosts big kids' confidence.

The demo: Elementary school through junior high. (Although we can think of a few news-monopolizing adults who could stand to learn Freckleface's lesson, too.)

The good news: Resemblance aside, the main character (played by Kathryn Miller, shown here, of the Theatre School at the Walnut Street Theatre) is unrelated to a certain sweetly scented figurine, last name Strawberry.

The showstopper: Much of the production has a smartened-up, "High School Musical" feel, but the quirky "Creative Minds" rap stands out.

The prerequisite: Read the first book. Or all six.

Showtimes: All daytime, including weekday matinees for school groups (10:30 and 11 a.m., 1 or 3:30 p.m. performances, depending on the date).

The basics: Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., Thursday-April 16, $14-$16, 215-574-3550, walnutstreettheatre.org.

Lauren McCutcheon is a Philadelphia mom who hasn't once been mistaken for Julianne Moore.