Pollyanna Theatre Co.'s THE FUNNYBUN FAMILY PICNIC to Open Next Week

Central Texas' most well-known children's theatre company, Pollyanna Theatre in Strategic Alliance with the Long Center, presents The Funnybun Family Picnic by Emily Cicchini at the Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 West Riverside, Austin, TX 78704. The show runs from July 13th - 21st with multiple showtimes, and two 'pay what you like' parties with the cast.

This delightful new play from acclaimed Pollyanna Theatre Company Resident Playwright, Emily Cicchini, is appropriate for family audiences ages 4 and up. It explores important themes and life lessons surrounding sibling rivalry, a parent who has recently lost his job, and a working mom who is trying to juggle the demands of her work as well as her family. The central character, Buffy Funnybun, is a young girl who is searching for a way to claim her own identity and be her own person.

Judy Matetzschk-Campbell PhD, founder and artistic director of Pollyanna Theatre Company remarks, "Emily and I have developed over a dozen plays for young audiences together and her work always makes me both laugh and cry. That is a combination that is really important when creating new plays for young audiences. We want our audiences to enjoy what they see and think deeply about what they hear. FUNNYBUN will give them a great opportunity to do both."

The cast includes professional actors including Aaron Alexander as Willie Funnybun, Amy Minor as Lindy Funnybun, Karina Dominguez as Buffy Funnybun and Toby Minor as Happy Funnybun.
The production is directed by Judy Matetzschk-Campbell.

In The Funnybun Family Picnic, audiences will follow the story of Buffy Funnybun on the morning of the Funnybun's annual family picnic but things are not going well. The children are not getting along and nothing seems to be going as planned. Willie, the father and head of this clown family has not been acting like himself lately and no one seems to know why. As the family's quality time together progresses, Willie's secret becomes known. But like mosT Loving families, the Funnybuns pull together and learn that by sticking together, what is most important in life can be preserved.

"This show was inspired by the great family plays of American drama as well as the age-old tradition of clowning," says Emily Cicchini, Pollyanna Theatre Company Resident Playwright. "All families have struggles they have to face together. We hope that the Funnybuns engage families of all kinds as it celebrates how love and compassion are the true keys to happiness."

In addition to public performances, The Funnybun Family Picnic is also available for schools throughout Central Texas. Call (512) 743-7966 for more information. As with all Pollyanna productions, accompanying multi-disciplinary curricula and professional development tools are also available free of charge for teachers and parents.

ABOUT POLLYANNA THEATRE COMPANY: The founders of Pollyanna Theatre Company believe that theatre is a powerful teaching tool that speaks to people of all ages in a unique and powerful way through a variety of visual, aural, and emotional languages. Therefore, theatre should be a part of all general education from pre-kindergarten through adulthood. Toward that end, The Pollyanna Theatre Company strives to work alongside educators to inspire, motivate, and teach audiences of all ages. Although the company's primary focus is upon young audience members, the ensemble performs top quality theatrical productions that speak to and illuminate the human spirit and condition for all ages.

For more information, visit www.pollyannatheatrecompany.org.

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