Company: NoBones Theatre, Calgary

Genre: Clown

Venue: Kids Venue — MTYP Mainstage

Poor Zoot just wants to throw a birthday party. And blow up the planet. Or maybe save it.

In Chris Gamble's likeable solo children's show, Zoot has been sent from space ostensibly to throw a party… but it's really an excuse to plant a planet-destroying bomb to clear Earth out of the way in the name of "progress." But when Zoot has a bout of conscience, the race is on to save the world.

The show's not at all as dark as it might sound, though. Gamble does some goofy clowning which had the younger kids in his opening night audience giggling throughout. There's a bit of audience interaction, though more might help the show through a few of its lulls.

Still, at a lean, chuckle-inducing half hour, it's a cute crowd-pleaser for the under-six set.