GTA WonderQuest to Host THE ADVENTURES OF PECOS BILL Stage Tour, 9/22

Yee-haw! Raised by a pack of coyotes and with a snake for a lasso, the twister-wranglin' Pecos Bill is the gruffest, toughest, cowboy in the American Wild West!

Find out how GTA WonderQuest is tackling these adventurous tall tales at the upcoming free Stage Tour at 6:00pm, Sept. 22, at Brenau University's Historic Pearce Auditorium (500 Washington Street SE, Gainesville, GA 30501). The Gainesville Theatre Alliance is a nationally acclaimed collaboration of the University of North Georgia, Brenau University, theatre professionals and the North Georgia community. WonderQuest, GTA's Theatre for Young Audiences, is the only organization in North Georgia dedicated to offering professionally-produced theatre specifically for children and their families.

Director and writer of PECOS BILL Gay H. Hammond will talk with visitors about the excitements and challenges of translating Edward O'Reilly's mythical tall tales to the stage. Hammond is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Brenau University, Resident Dramatist for GTA, and Director of WonderQuest, for which she has written and directed over 30 plays, including Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, The Briar Patch, and Sophie and the Pirates. Suzi award-nominated costume designer Jeannie Crawford and scenic designer B. Don Massey, professor emeritus at UGA, will talk about the process of bringing the Wild West to the stage. Lighting Designer Terri Becker will also add to the discussion.

Family performances for THE ADVENTURES OF PECOS BILL open on October 2nd and run through October 4th and October 9th-10th. While the Stage Tour is free, ticket prices for the production are $10-12 for adults and $7-8 for students and children depending on seat location. Patrons can ponder several special pre and post-show events listed online at the GTA website, then select and purchase seats on the website, www.gainesvilleTHEATREalliance.org, or by calling the GTA Box Office at 678-717-3624, Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm.