Pursed lips, angry eyes and a jaw line like Jay Leno's. I was in third grade the last time I heard Miss Viola Swamp's callous name breathed into the air. Think Wicked Witch of the West meets old-style, slap-you-with-a-ruler-type teacher. Based on the popular children's book, Casa Manana's musical rendition of Miss Nelson Is Missing! will entertain children of all ages. Sweet Miss Nelson, the lovable pushover, goes M.I.A. Her students second-guess their bad behavior when they're faced with the wrath of their substitute, Miss Swamp. When all is said and done, Miss Nelson's class will have learned a valuable lesson: It doesn't pay to be bratty. The musical runs Friday through March 8 and tickets are $15 to $17. Visit casamanana.org for more details.
Tuesdays-Fridays, 10:30 a.m.; Fridays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 & 7 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: Feb. 17. Continues through March 8, 2009