Columbia Children's Theatre Presents PUSS IN BOOTS, Now thru 2/16

Columbia Children's Theatre (CCT), the Midlands only professional theatre for families and young audiences will present Puss in Boots tonight, February 7 - 16. Show times are Fridays at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. All shows are held at Columbia Children's Theatre on the 2nd level of Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive. The production introduces a new lower ticket price of $10.00 for children three years of age through adult, with $8.00 tickets for seniors and active duty military. The 7:00 p.m. performances on Saturday evenings will have a special price of $5.00 for everyone. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com. For more information contact CCT at 803-691-4548. CCT's 2013-2014 Season is sponsored by The Little Gym of Columbia and Lexington, and South Carolina Blue.

Calling upon the original story's French origins, this adaptation by CCT Artistic Director Jerry Stevenson is set against post-war Reconstruction New Orleans. Puss, played by famed Midlands storyteller, Darion Mcleod is now a scrappy survivor living by his wits and helping his master Tom to "obtain riches beyond campare." His nemesis, Denzel Devereaux, played by veteran actor Lee O. Smith tries desperately to best Puss, and win the heart of the sassy and beautiful Miss Crimson O'Grovenor. Replete with "cavaliers and cotton fields," and a score reminiscent of that land that's "Gone with the Wind," this fanciful adaptation delighted audiences during CCT's very first season in 2005. "I had to wait until I found a Puss to remount it," said CCT Artistic Director Jerry Stevenson, "and once CCT began collaborating with the NiA Company and discovered Darion we knew we could do it again!"

The Production also features Kendal Turner as Miss Crimson O'Grovenor, Julian Deleon as The Honorable Governor Grover O'Grovenor, Toni Moore as Miss Sassafras St. Simons, Paul Lindley II as Tom Honeycutt, Matt Wright and Elizabeth Stepp as brothers Shuford and Buford Honeycutt, and Bonita Peebles as Miss Crybaby. The Assistant Director/Understudy is Eveyln Clary and the production is stage managed by Crystal Aldamuy.

Columbia Children's Theatre is a professional resident not-for-profit theatre dedicated to providing quality live theatre experiences for families and young audiences, and is supported in part by the City of Forest Acres, The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.