MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL Opens at Children's Theatre's Tarradiddle Players

Children's Theatre of Charlotte's Tarradiddle Players bring a beloved children's story to life with "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel," coming to the Wachovia Playhouse at ImaginOn from February 12-28. Adapted from Virginia Lee Burton's 1939 classic, this musical by Eric Lane Barnes celebrates the values of hard work, determination and friendship.

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, Mary Anne, have been together for many years, digging the holes for famous canals, railroads, highways and skyscrapers. But times have changed and newer shovels have become fashionable, leaving Mike and Mary Anne out of work and down to their last dime. Their final hope could be the little town of Poppersville, which needs a basement dug for its new City Hall. Mike and Mary Anne are determined to get the job, but first they have to outbid the fanciest, most recent shovel models around.

"Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" is directed by Mark Sutton and stars the 2009-2010 Tarradiddle Players company: Salvador Garcia, Leslie Ann Giles, Darlene Parker and Stephen Seay. Playful costume design by Courtney Burt Scott and scenic design by Tim Parati evoke Virginia Lee Burton's original colorful illustrations.

The Tarradiddle Players are the Resident Touring Company of Children's Theatre of Charlotte. In addition to appearances on Children's Theatre's MainStage, this professional four-person troupe spreads the joy of live theatre across the Southeast. This season, the Tarradiddle Players will travel from Virginia to South Carolina, performing in schools, community centers and towns for audiences who might otherwise never see a live play. Meet the Tarradiddle Players and hear stories from the road at an audience talkback following the opening night performance on February 12.

Performance times and dates are as follows:

Friday, February 12 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 13 11:00 am SOLD OUT
Sunday, February 14 2:00 pm
Sunday, February 14 4:00 pm
Saturday, February 20 11:00 am SOLD OUT
Sunday, February 21 2:00 pm SOLD OUT
Saturday, February 27 1:00 pm
Sunday, February 28 2:00 pm

Performances will be held in the Wachovia Playhouse at ImaginOn, 300 East 7th Street. Front Orchestra tickets are $18.00; General Admission tickets are $14.00. For tickets to the production, call The Children's Theatre Box Office at 704-973-2828 (10 am-5 pm, Mon.-Fri.) or visit our website: www.ctcharlotte.org. Recommended for ages 3+/ Grades PreK+

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