Children’s Theatre Opens HOW I BECAME A PIRATE Jan. 21

Children's Theatre of Charlotte kicks off the new year with "How I Became a Pirate," coming to the McColl Family Theatre from January 21-February 6. Based on the best-selling book by Carolina author Melinda Long, this swashbuckling musical is a fun family show recommended for ages 5 and up.

When young Jeremy Jacob joins up with Captain Braid Beard's scurvy crew, he embarks on his very own high seas adventure. His new shipmates teach him everything he needs to know about being a pirate, from how to swab a deck to how to sing sea shanties. However, as Jeremy finds out, there are also some things that pirates don't do: play soccer properly, say "please" and "thank you" or tell bedtime stories and tuck each other in at night. He soon learns that the truly important things in life are worth more than buried treasure.

Talented sixth grader Sam Faulkner plays the role of Jeremy Jacob, alongside a cast of professional adult actors including James Dracy, Josh Looney, Chaz Pofahl, Jeremy Shane and Barbi Van Schaick. The production is directed by Ron Chisholm, with musical direction by Drina Keen.

Adapted by Alyn Cardarelli and Steve Goers, "How I Became a Pirate" is based on the book of the same name by Melinda Long, illustrated by David Shannon. Author Melinda Long, who lives in Greenville, SC, will visit Charlotte for the production's opening performance on January 21. She will talk about her books and her writing at an afternoon event with ImaginOn's Spangler Library, and will be available to sign books before the 7:30 performance that evening.

Performance times and dates are:

Friday, January 21 7:30 pm

Saturday, January 22 11:00 am

Saturday, January 22 1:00 pm

Sunday, January 23 2:00 pm

Friday, January 28 7:30 pm (SOLD OUT)

Saturday, January 29 11:00 am

Saturday, January 29 1:00 pm

Sunday, January 30 2:00 pm

Sunday, January 30 4:00 pm

Saturday, February 5 3:00 pm

Sunday, February 6 2:00 pm

Performances will be held in the McColl Family Theatre at ImaginOn, 300 East 7th Street. Front Orchestra tickets are $24.00; General Section tickets are $18.00. For tickets to the productions, call The Children's Theatre Box Office at 704-973-2828 (10 am-5 pm, Mon.-Fri.) or visit our website: www.ctcharlotte.org. For ages 5+/Grades K+.

Children's Theatre of Charlotte is supported, in part, with an Operating Grant from the Arts & Science Council, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Inc. and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

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