BAREFOOT PUPPETS Comes to CenterStage's Gottwald Playhouse, 1/26

Richmond CenterStage is excited to announce their newest addition to the 2013 Family Series as they partner with the award-winning Virginia-based puppetry performers of Barefoot Puppets to present "Little Red and the Gingerbread Man." This special performance is part of CenterStage's 2013 Family Series and will be held at Gottwald Playhouse on Saturday, January 26 at 10:00 a.m.

"Performances like the Barefoot Puppets are a vital part of our mission at CenterStage. We love keeping families at the heart of our vision," said Richard M. Parison, Jr., Executive Director of Richmond CenterStage. "We're thrilled to present the Barefoot Puppets production of 'Little Red and the Gingerbread Man.' I know this special performance will excite our audience members who are young and young at heart!"

"Little Red and the Gingerbread Man" combines two well-loved, classic tales to create an original, fun-filled romp through fairy tales. Join Little Red and she pursues a mischievous Gingerbread cookie through the woods to Grandma's house. Original music, snowy scenery, and everyone's favorite Big Bad Wolf make up this seasonal favorite for audiences ages 3 and up.

Tickets for the show are only $6 for children and $10 for adults and are now available at the CenterStage Box Office, through E-Tix at 1-800-514-ETIX (3849), at www.richmondcenterstage.com or at www.etix.com.

This performance is the first in CenterStage's 2013 Family Series and will be followed by a concert by local musical performers Silly Bus on Saturday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m.

About Barefoot Puppet Theatre: Barefoot Puppet Theatre has been building and performing original works since 1997 when founder and director, Heidi Rugg, began building puppet shows from the basement of her home in Richmond, Virginia. Each performance features beautiful puppets in a variety of styles, imaginative and well-researched scripts, unique staging, audience participation, and original music. These elements combine to bring to life world folktales, classic tales (with a twist!), and adaptations of true stories. Performances have thrilled audiences at Boston's Puppet Showplace Theater, The Center for Puppetry Arts, The National Zoo, The Smithsonian Discovery Theater, and The Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts. In 2005, Barefoot Puppet Theatre was awarded a UNIMA Citation of Excellence, the highest distinction in North American puppetry.

A world-class performing arts facility located in the heart of Richmond on Grace Street between 6th and 7th streets, Richmond CenterStage includes the fully-renovated, 83-year-old, nearly 1,800-seat Carpenter Theatre. In addition, CenterStage offers guests and performers three separate venues: the multi-use space Rhythm Hall; the intimate Gottwald Playhouse; and Showcase Gallery, for exhibition of the visual arts. The Genworth BrightLights Education Center, located on the third floor, promotes arts in education to the region's K-12 students. Also included in CenterStage's venues is the Landmark Theater, which is located in the heart of Richmond's historic Fan District at 6 N. Laurel Street.