Columbia Children's Theatre presents CINDERELLA

It's time for the Royal Winter Ball, but Cinderella won't be going because she has no clothes or shoes; or will she? Join Columbia Children's Theatre (CCT)-the Midlands' only professional theatre for families and young audiences-as they present this delightful musical adaptation of the age-old rags to riches tale Cinderella, December 3 -11. The production's run opens on Saturday, December 3 with a special Breakfast with Santa at 9:00 a.m. followed by the show at 10:30 a.m. Tickets for the breakfast and show package are $15.00 for children and adults. Regular show times are December 3 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 4 at 3:00 p.m.; Saturday, December 10 at 10:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, December 5 at 3:00 p.m.at All performances are held at Columbia Children's Theatre on the 2nd level of Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive. Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday performances are $10.00 for children three years of age through adult. The 7:00 p.m. performances on Saturday evenings will have a special ticket price of $5.00 for everyone. Advance tickets can be purchased securely online at columbiachildrenstheatre.com. For more information contact CCT at 803-691-4548.

Saturday, December 3 at 9:00 a.m. is the return of the popular Breakfast with Santa, a partnership with the Richland County Recreation Commission. $15.00 admission includes breakfast, a visit and photo with Santa himself, other holiday activities and crafts, and admission to a performance of Cinderella at 10:30 a.m. Advance tickets are required and are available at columbichildrenstheatre.com.

Friday, December 9 at 8:00 p.m. will see the return of CCT's underground, adults-only experience, Late Night Date Night. A unique concept for a children's theatre, this performance allows the cast to perform the script with strategic emphasis and innuendo that gives rise to unpredictable comedy best reserved for ages 16 and older. Admission to Late Night Date Night is by donation at the door, and patrons donating at least $10.00 will have the opportunity to send a word backstage that the cast must work into the show.

Adapted by famed Emerald City Theatre founder and Second City alum Alyn Cardarelli and Grammy-nominee Steve Goers, this rollicking musical celebrates Cinderella's "girl power!" She out-smarts her stepsisters, sword fights and can't decide whether she really wants to marry the prince or not!

"This will be our third mounting of this adaptation," says CCT Artistic Director Jerry Stevenson, and we're pulling out all the stops! In previous productions where our step-family may have been 'beautiful but mean' or 'just misunderstood' this time around our actors are making them the most over-the-top, absurd goofballs ever to disgrace a stage!"

The production features many CCT regulars and some new-comers as well. Emma Imholz, (Ariel in CCT's The Little Mermaid and Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie) will take on the title role of Cinderella. Her reluctant Prince Jason will be played alternately by Noah Barker (Shrek in last summer's Shrek and Judge Turpin in Sweeny Todd) and Baker Morrison (Lord Farquad in Shrek and Pirelli in Sweeny Todd). Beth Dehart reprises her role of the Stepmother from 4 seasons ago and Courtney Reasoner (last seen as Cow in Duck for President) will take on stepsister Temperance and newcomer Ann Percuoco will portray her graceless sister Grace. Katrina Blanding plays the Fairy Godmother while CCT favorites Paul Lindley II and Julian Deleon take on the roles of Wesley, the Prince's valet and Ratford the Rat. Josh Diveley understudies the role of Wesley at certain performances. Choreography is by Lisa Sendler with direction by Jerry Stevenson.

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 LexingtonCounties and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.