Columbia Children's Theatre to Stage SKIPPYJON JONES, 4/10-19

Columbia Children's Theatre (CCT), the Midlands' only professional theatre for families and young audiences, will present the whimsical musical adaptation of Judith Schachner's popular children's book Skippyjon Jones and the Cirqure de Ole? April 10 - 19. Show times are Friday, April 10 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 securely online at www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com. For more information contact CCT at 803-691-4548.

About the Production

Developed at The Magik Theatre in San Antonio, Texas, the musical is adapted for the stage by the Magik's Artistic Director David Morgan with Music by Ricky Hernandez and additional music and lyrics by Shannon Morgan. Originally presented as part of The Magik's 2013-2014 season CCT will be one of the first theatres to produce this new musical. Based on the very popular children's books by Judith Schachner, this rollicking musical follows Skippyjon Jones-a Siamese cat who thinks he is a Chihuahua--on his real and imagined adventures, including a visit to the Cirque de Olé. Along with his three "bestie" chimichangos, Poquito Tito, Pintolito and Don Diego, Skippy busts a move with a dancing bear, steals the circus "strong dog's" muscle suit and "flies through the air with the greatest of ease"-out of a cannon!

"We just sort of lucked out with this one," said the show's director, CCT Artistic Director Jerry Stevenson. "We've wanted to do a Skippy for a couple of years now, and last year when we were visiting the Magik in San Antonio they were just mounting it and offered it to us! The Magik's a 600 seat theatre with a fly system so we've had to be really creative in realizing Skippy's circus stunts!"

The production features such CCT favorites as Paul Lindley II as Skippyjon, Brandi Smith as his mother Miss June Bug, Beth DeHart, Kendall Turner and Carol Beis as his erasable sisters Ju-ju Bee, Jezebel and Jilly-Boo. Andy Nyland, Julian De Leon and Beth DeHart take on the roles of his wacky sidekicks Don Diego, Pintolito and Poquito Tito. Anthony Harvey tackles the very demanding role of a ballet-dancing Rottweiler, Putzi Shtrungleboot.

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 and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. CCT's 2014-2015 Season is sponsored by the Little Gym of Columbia and Lexington.