OHMLAND LIVE!

The term "Sun Salutation" might refer to a happy way to greet the morning. Or those familiar with the ancient Indian practice of yoga could associate the term as a basic series of 12 connected movements. In the children's musical Ohmland, the Sun Salutation is both?as well as a catchy song. Writer Laurie Miller, who is also a certified yoga instructor, has created?along with Ben Tollefson and Mike Weiss?a one-hour production designed to subtly teach young children an integral component of basic yoga. There is little to offer adults other than occasional groan-eliciting puns. The lively cast ignores the chance to be more than singing camp counselors. But it's a creative, enjoyable show that talks effectively to its projected audience without pandering.

Ohmland is the mythical home of the Ohmies, a group of five butterflies, who decide one morning to get up early and surprise the sun when he arrives. The Ohmies are led by Penny (Tara Hunnewell), who convinces her friends Phillip (Eric Dean), Plop (Jolene Kim), Posy (Megan Smith), and Poogle (Melanie Lora), to journey to the highest point in Ohmland. Along the way they meet rapping pooches Up Dawg (Shana Gregory Williams) and Down Dawg (Reign Morton), as well as Snake and Grasshopper (Ben Tollefson and Mike Weiss). Each animal teaches through song an element of the Sun Salutation.

The rainbow-colored Ohmies are reminiscent of kiddie favorites The Wiggles, only they have wings. The songs, written by Miller, Tollefson, and Weiss, are hypnotically repetitive but make remembering the yoga positions easier. The performances are appropriately hyperkinetic. With her comforting voice, it's Hunnewell who sets and maintains the show's overjoyed tone. Under the direction of Miguel Montalvo the cast frequently leaves the stage and speaks to the children in attendance up close, which keeps the kids more fully engaged. The only setback is a lack of space at the Brentwood for the audience to try sun salutations during the performance. But this is a memorable introduction to yoga, which might become a passion for some of those who learn it from the Ohmies.

"OHMLAND Live!," presented by Saturday Scene! The Geffen Playhouse in association with OhmInventions LLC at the Brentwood Theatre, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Bldg. 211, Brentwood. Sat. 11 a.m. Dec. 4-18. $5-10. (310) 208-5454.