Pollyanna Theatre to Present PETER AND THE PIPER, 8/12-20

Central Texas' most well-known children's theatre company, Pollyanna Theatre in Strategic Alliance with the Long Center, presents PETER AND THE PIPER by Holly Hepp Galvan July 12-20 at the Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 West Riverside, Austin, TX 78704.

This production is best suited for children ages 5 and up. Filled with a modern-day meets fantasy feel to this theatrical world, PETER AND THE PIPER breathes new life into a tale many of us grew up with.

The play picks up the classic Pied Piper story at the moment when the Piper realizes he is not going to be paid for ridding Hamlin of their epic rat problem. Determined to make good on every word in the contract, The Piper plans to lure away Hamlin's children. But Peter doesn't like the Piper's music and is suspicious of this adult's motives. When no one will listen to his concerns, Peter begins to worry about how his friends all think he is "lame". When he discovers the one rat left behind from the Piper's first visit to Hamlin, Peter discovers the plan necessary to save the day.

Playwright Holly Hepp-Galvan turns this classic tale on its ear and redefines what it is in today's world to be "lame". It also asks the question, 'how can we tell who our real friends are?' While the Piper does not play a pipe, he uses fun raps and a hip hop beat.

Judy Matetzschk-Campbell, Ph.D., Founder and Artistic Director of Pollyanna Theatre says, "I am thrilled to once again be directing a play by Holly Hepp-Galvan. She beautifully weaves humor with thought-provoking dialogue and situations. One second her characters have us laughing, and in the same breath we find ourselves as an audience catching our breath and thinking deeply about dangerous behaviors. I think that the theatre can do that in a way that no other art form can."

The cast includes professional actors and designers including:

Toby Minor - The Piper

Aaron Alexander - Peter

Bethany Harbaugh - Mindy

Jason Marlett - Joe

Chelsea Hockaday - Julius The Rat

Set and Prop Design - Holly and Patrick Crowley

Lighting Design - Don W. Day

Costume Design - Rikki Davis

Sound Design & Company Stage Manager - Andrew Perry.

Pollyanna welcomes the return of Jason Marlett, one of Pollyanna's original company members and a familiar face to many of our patrons. He plays the role of Joe, a young man who believes The Piper is a real hero.

Season tickets are available now; patrons save 10% when tickets are purchased for three Pollyanna Theatre productions. See www.thelongcenter.org for details.

In addition to public performances, PETER AND THE PIPER is also available for schools throughout Central Texas. As with all Pollyanna productions, accompanying multi-disciplinary curricula and professional development tools are also available free of charge for teachers and parents.

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