Children's Theatre of Cincinnati to Present THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS, Begin. 12/6

The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati and Santa will bring local audiences a lot to smile about this holiday season with the world-premiere production "The Day Before Christmas," December 6-8 and 14, 2013 at the Taft Theatre.

The show is directed by TCTC's Artistic Director, Angela Powell Walker, with story and book by Ken Jones, music by Jamey Strawn, lyrics by Christine Jones. Ken Jones, wrote and compiled the hit "Santa's Toy Factory" for The Children's Theatre's 12-13 season; and the trio worked together on the successful shows: "Burgertown," "CHURCH GIRLS, Umatilla USA," and "LINCOLN: A Pioneer Tale."

There is a flurry of activity at the North Pole. Santa and Mrs. Claus, the elves, the reindeer, the forest animals and even the Toys themselves prepare for the biggest night of the year! It takes a lot of planning and hard work to get a sleigh off the ground and to deliver toys to children around the world, but Santa's team is ready and willing. Or at least they think they are before a tricky Jack Frost decides to try to stop the Christmas Festivities with a little comical chaos and calamity!

Single tickets and subscriptions for the rest of the 13-14 season are available now by calling 513-569-8080 ext. 10. Visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com for more information.

"The Day Before Christmas," The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, through December 14. 7:30 p.m. Friday December 6, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday December 7 & 14, 2 p.m. Sunday December 8. Taft Theatre, 317 East 5th Street in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets $7-$25. 800-745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Q102 and The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati are proud to collect items for St. Joseph Orphanage at all performances of "The Day Before Christmas." Children and adults are encouraged to bring any new or unwrapped item and we'll collect them in the Taft Theatre lobby. Visit http://www.stjosephorphanage.org/ for a list of holiday requests.

And don't miss Brunch with Santa on Saturday, December 14 at 11:30 AM. Tickets for this event are $50 including a ticket to the show, or $35 for brunch only. Join The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati in the Taft Theatre Ballroom for a festive holiday brunch, music, crafts, a visit from Santa and his friends and memories to last a lifetime. Seating is limited. Call 513-569-8080 ext. 14 for reservations.

Characters from Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's "A Christmas Carol", Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati's holiday production of "Around the World in 80 Days," Cincinnati Ballet's "Frisch's Presents The Nutcracker" and The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati's production of "The Day Before Christmas" will be spreading the holiday spirit at festive events throughout the Tristate this season. For a full listing of Character Crew events, visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

"The Day Before Christmas" is made possible by the generous support of Macy's. The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. The Children's Theatre's Season Sponsors are the Charles H. Dater Foundation and the Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation. Media sponsor are LOCAL 12, The Cincinnati Enquirer and Q102. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.