Columbia Children's Theatre to Present JACK FROST, 12/5-14

Columbia Children's Theatre (CCT), the Midlands' only professional theatre for families and young audiences will present the world premiere of the new musical Jack Frost, December 5-14. Show times are Friday, December 5 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. Tickets 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 online at www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com. For more information contact CCT at 803-691-4548. CCT's 2014-2015 Season is sponsored by The Little Gym of Columbia and Lexington.

With a book and lyrics by Crystal Aldamuy and music and lyrics by Paul Gilbert Lindley II the original musical follows Jack through some trying teenage times when he only wants to do things his way, like painting holly leaves in rainbow colors, bringing snow storms to orange groves in September and accidentally inventing the aurora borealis! When Jack's parents and their neighbors the Kringles decide that Jack and their daughter Crystal might learn some valuable life lessons if they switched homes for a while, Jack goes to live with the Kringles and Crystal moves in with the Frosts. Needless to say each learns some valuable and musical lessons about the grass not being greener on the other side.

The production features many CCT favorites and newcomers alike. CCT staple Paul Lindley takes on the title role of Jack while his parents Ike and Isis Frost are played by Charles Krawczk and Carol Beis. Neighbors Chris and Christine Kringle will be played by Julian Deleon and Rachel Arling. The role of their daughter and Jack's best friend Crystal will be played by Kaitlyn fuller and Jerryana Williams. The role of the silent but singing Elf will be played by CCT YouTheatre funny man Anthony Harvey. At certain performances the roles of Isis Frost and Chris Kringle will be played by Toni Moore and Lee O. Smith respectively.

CCT Artistic Director Jerry Stevenson who directs the production said, "Finding quality holiday material for families and young audiences is getting harder and harder. What we thought would be a bi-annual tradition with our production of Frosty couldn't continue when the rights were pulled. So Crystal, a published poet, and Paul, a recent USC music graduate, stepped up to create this delightful musical. We feel it's only fitting that as the Midlands' only professional theatre for families and young audiences we produce new work with local artists, and contribute to the canon of material available for families and children."

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.