Laurel Graeber  Little Bo Peep wanders into Wonderland.This time there's no Alice, and the Red Queen wants to have her own teaparty. It doesn't sound like Lewis Carroll. But it does sound like Fringe.The Fringe Festival, New York's annual celebration of avant-garde theater,is back, and once again, it includes Fringe Jr., a selection of plays gearedto children who know there is more to youthful entertainment than "Onceupon a time. . . ."

"Alice's Tea Party" is a good example. It was writtenby Matilda Kunin, the founder of the Young Performers Theater in San Francisco,who plays several characters, including the Red Queen. When the queen isdismayed that Little Bo Peep isn't Alice, Little Bo (Natalie Susoev) tellsher that she doesn't need Alice for her party -- she can invite membersof the audience. Children are asked to get up on stage, and many get rightinto the Fringe spirit.

"I interview them and ask how old they are, and some saythey're 29," Ms. Kunin said. In addition to shows, the Fringe Festivalwill offer children Fort Fringe Jr., its weekend clubhouse. The activitiesthere will include theater games, mask-making, face-painting, clowningand watching previews of Fringe Jr. shows.

These five-minute excerpts will feature not only the teaparty, but also "Shirts, Socks and King Pajamas," a play about everydayobjects that come to life; "Kingdom of the Sun," which centers on an intrepidgirl named Harold; "Clowning the Bible," which finds humor even in theholy, and "Sleepyhead and Other Works," a trio of pieces using dance, mime,circus arts and slapstick. "It's not your standard children's theater fare,"said Elena K. Holy, the festival's producing director.

"Alice's Tea Party," tomorrow at 7 P.M., Sunday at noon,Aug. 24 at 5:45 P.M., Aug. 25 at 7:30 P.M. and Aug. 26 at 6 P.M. at theHenry Street Settlement, Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street, Lower EastSide. Tickets: $11; children, $7. Festival information: (212) 420-8877or, outside of New York City, (888) Fringenyc. Fort Fringe Jr., Saturdaysand Sundays from noon to 2 P.M. through Aug. 29 at Fringe Central, 196Stanton Street, Lower East Side. Free.