Honolulu's theater scene is alive and well, even without extravaganzas such as "The Lion King." This weekend, in fact, two shows in particular represent a wide spectrum of live theater — one is aimed at the very young, the other aimed at the very late-night (think experimental, adult).

'MAUI'S KITE'

How was the Hawaiian kite invented? This original Honolulu Theatre for Youth production, written by BullDog, combines storytelling, puppets, music, a bit of hula and Hawaiian words to tell the tale.

Phyllis Look directs HTY regulars Cynthia See and Hermen "Junior" Tesoro.

Showtimes: Premiering at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. today, repeating at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. March 15 and 29 at Tenny Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral.

Tickets: $8; free for those 2 and younger, but they still require a ticket. 839-9885, www.htyweb.org.

Suggested for those 3 to 5 years old.

'RUMI'

The University of Hawai'i-Manoa Late Night Theatre season continues with a collection of stories by the 13th-century poet Jalalludin Rumi, adapted by Paul Sills and directed by Terri Large Madden, an MFA student.

Among Rumi's stories to be told in the production: "The Dream That Must Be Interpreted" and "Sexual Urgency." Themes of death, spirituality and sex are explored, so this show is aimed at adult audiences.

Showtimes: Premiering at 11 p.m. today, Friday and March 8; 8 p.m. tomorrow at UH-Manoa's Earle Ernst Lab Theatre.

Tickets: $10 general, $8 UH faculty and staff, seniors, military and students, $4 UH students — on sale at the door an hour before curtain. 956-7655, www.hawaii.edu/kennedy.