Popular children's and teen author Judy Blume will sing -- or least, her characters will, in the Theatreworks/USA season opener, Superfudge, beginning performances Oct. 14 at the company's home at the Auditorium at Equitable Tower in Manhattan. The new musicalization of Blume's book runs Oct. 14-15 and 21-22.

In Superfudge, 12-year-old Peter Hatcher struggles to cope with his family. Not only is his four-year-old brother Fudge nothing but trouble, but with the arrival of their new sister, Fudge is even worse. From trying to sell the baby to calling his teacher Rat Face, Fudge is out of control. Can Peter survive? Other Blume books include "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," "Blubber," "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" and "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great."

Following Superfudge in the Theatreworks repertory, which includes over 100 original plays and musicals, are:

Nov. 4-5, 11-12: Lyle Lyle, Crocodile
Nov. 18-19, 25-26: The Boxcar Children
Dec. 2, 10: The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe
Dec. 3, 9, 16-17: A Christmas Carol
Jan. 6-7: Mozart, Monsters & Matisse
Jan. 13, 21: Freedom Train
Jan. 14, 20: Jekyll and Hyde
Jan. 27-28, Feb. 3-4: Simple Gifts
Feb. 10-11, 17-18: Reading Rainbow
Feb. 24-25: Sundiata, Lion King of Mali
March 3-4, 10-11: Ramona Quimby
March 17-18: Gold Rush!
March 24-25: Footprints on the Moon
March 31, April 1, 7: Charlotte's Web

Tickets are $19. The Auditorium at Equitable Tower is located at 787 Seventh Avenue between 51st and 52nd Street. For reservations, call (212) 627-7373. Founded in 1961, Theatreworks/USA has a repertory of 96 plays and musicals which it performs at the Auditorium at Equitable Tower from Oct. - April. In addition to the Free Summer Theatre for New York area children, the company performs nationally for schoolchildren in theatres ranging from school auditoriums to the Kennedy Center.

-- By Christine Ehren