Pantochino's THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES SANTA CLAUS Opens Friday in Milford

Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc., a not-for-profit professional theatre company for family audiences, presents it's new holiday musical, "The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus" opening Friday, December 2, 7:30pm, at the Center for the Arts in Downtown Milford.

Based on the fascinating book by L.Frank Baum ("The Wizard of Oz), the new musical chronicles the life of Claus from his humble beginnings in an enchanted forest of mythical beings to his famous toy deliveries throughout the world. Bert Bernardi has written the book and lyrics with a musical score by Justin Rugg.

Joining Rugg in the cast are Pantochino favorites Jimmy Johansmeyer, Mary Mannix, Shelley Marsh Poggio, Andrea Pane and Dale Allen. Also in the cast are Jaxon Beirne, Dani Corrigan, Nicholas Ferreira, Hazel Foley, Olivia Foley, Adeline Horne, Genevieve Horne, Nathan Horne, Brianna Joy Jackson, Hannah Kupson, Kylie Poggio, Nick Porello, Thea Ryan, Jane Shearin and Matthew Sullivan. The show features set designs by Von Del Mar, lighting by Jeff Carr, sound design by Sara Brown and Alejandro Lopez as stage manager.

In keeping with the season of giving, and the mission of Claus to make children happy, Pantochino is partnering with Milford Food2Kids, a local charitable organization created to bridge the food gap for some of the communities neediest children. "We'll be taking a collection at each performance in support of this most worthy organization" said Bernardi.

"The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus" will be performed December 2 through 18th with shows Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. A special Saturday5:30pm performance takes place on December 3rd. Tickets are $20. online, or $22. at the door. Advance tickets are strongly suggested. The intimate Milford Center for the Arts is located at 40 Railroad Avenue South on the east bound side of the Metro-North tracks. Free parking is available in the train station lots. Further details are available at pantochino.com.