Summer has officially arrived, and with it, Summer Fairy Tale Season at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre.

The annual fairy tale plays, which are traditionally geared toward children, are offered free to all. This year?s was made possible through a generous donation from the Rotary Club.

This July, the Civic Theatre will perform BAladdin,C written by Robert Neil Porter with music and lyrics by Jack Perry. The performance will include a genie with endless powers, belly dancers performing in a dazzling palace and an evil Turkish magician with many tricks up his sleeve.

The show will be directed by Gina Greathouse and Iain Freckleton will serve as stage manager.

Show times are 7 p.m. July 7; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 8; 2 p.m. July 9; 7 p.m. July 14; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 15; and 2 p.m. July 16. Doors will open 30 minutes before showtime, and seating is first come, first served.

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre is at 1660 N. McClelland St.

Call 922-4442 or visit www.smct.org for more information.

While the family-friendly BAladdinC is under way, the Santa Maria Civic Theatre will also be busy preparing for the opening show of its 2006-2007 season, BUnderpants,C a decidedly adult satire adapted from a classic German play by comedic actor Steve Martin.

Open auditions for the play, which will begin this fall, will take place at 7 p.m. July 10 and 11 at the theater, 1660 N. McClelland St. Director Stuart Wenger is looking for five men, four in their mid-20s to mid-40s and one in his mid-50s; and two women in their mid-20s to mid-40s.