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"Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" is one of those innovative little theatricals that introduces children to things they have never seen in a fun and entertaining way. For the adults sitting with them, it is more of a nostalgia trip. Because, instead of fairies, spaceships or mystical beasts, the stage is set with cows, poultry and, the rarest thing of all, a typewriter!

Click, clack, moo indeed!

The play is adapted by James E. Grote from a book by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin. For this story, the characters are pared down to two cows (Joyce Carolyn as the level-headed one, Kathleen Betsko Yale as the firebrand), one hen (Jennifer Fitzery, a bobbing, clucking delight), a duck (James Heffron, who also narrates) and the hapless Farmer Brown (Tim Newell, representing the whole grown-up world).

As our story opens, all seems idyllic on the Allendale Theatre stage, with Farmer Brown happily singing that "Every moo, every cluck, every quack is music to my ears."

But the animals in that barnyard orchestra are not happy. They give away their milk and eggs, and in exchange spend cold nights in a drafty barn. Their complaints to Farmer Brown fall on, if not deaf, at least uncomprehending ears.

Things could have continued forever like this, except -- one day, the animals find, tucked away in the barn a box of books apparently from a long-ago political science class: "Mein Kampf," Malcolm X, and, at the bottom "Animal Farm." (Kids may not get this, but it can be a good conversation starter later.)

And, in another box, there is a typewriter. The politicized cows (they are tired of being treated like cattle!) start tapping out demands to Farmer Brown. Electric blankets are at the top of the list.

His comfy little world shattered, Farmer Brown reacts not with wonder at the secretarial skills of his livestock, but with anger at their requests. The songs get more vigorous, the confrontations more energetic until, well, it is a play for young children, so let's just say no one gets turned into hamburger.

"Click, Clack, Moo" is part musical, part comedy and part political demonstration, an unusual mix that works pretty well. There are perhaps a few too many meetings held by the cows, and Farmer Brown's extreme anger was a little disconcerting, but the songs are fun, the costumes are clever and the actors have a great time together.

The show is for elementary age children, but there are some jokes that adults will enjoy as well. Also, particularly with evening shows at the Allendale, give yourself plenty of time to find a place to park and get to your seat.