'Hannah and the Hollow Challah' Family Comedy Opens March 16

Practical Cats Theatre, in association with 78th Street Theatre Lab, presents the world premiere of Hannah and the Hollow Challah - a new comedy for family audiences about a young girl's wild escapades with human and "doughy" characters in the magical world of Bread Land - begins its limited four-week engagement on March 15, prior to its official press opening March 16, at the 78th Street Theatre Lab (236 West 78th Street) in Manhattan. Elizabeth Margid directs.

"In Hannah and the Hollow Challah, a young girl named Hannah hungers for adventure - and Challah, her favorite bread. One day, Hannah eats the inside of an entire loaf. The next instant, she finds herself inside the hollow Challah as it flies out of her kitchen window and all the way to the enchanting Bread Land, where the inhabitants are all… bread! Hilarious, hi-carb complications ensue," describe press notes.

Elizabeth Margid, who helmed Ms. Cohen's play Thin Walls at 78th Street Theatre Lab and in Edinburgh, directs Maria McConville and Michael Orth as they play dozens of rolls, or rather roles, along with a baker's dozen or so puppet costars.

Hannah and the Hollow Challah features puppets designed by Jim Henson Foundation Grant-winner Emily DeCola, whose credits include 1001 Arabian Nights and The Tempest at the McCarter Theatre in New Jersey, Mabou Mines' Prelude to Death in Venice and Hats! The Musical. DeCola has also created puppetry for numerous New York companies, including Ensemble Studio Theatre, Red Bull Theatre, Repertorio Espanol, and Synapse Productions.

The production also has set design by Mary Robinette Kowal, sound design by Gerard McConville, lighting design by Eric Nightengale, and puppet direction by Emily DeCola.

Alice Eve Cohen is the author of the children's book "The Tale of the Souvenir Shop," part of Nickelodeon's popular "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" series, as well as "My Child, The Arts and Learning," a handbook for parents about the value of the arts in children's education which has been translated into eight languages and distributed to schools throughout New York City.

Performances of Hannah and the Hollow Challah run Saturdays and Sundays, March 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 11AM; and Saturdays and Sundays, March 29, 30 and April 5, 6 at 11AM & 1:30PM. Tickets are $12-18. For tickets, call 212-352-3101 or visit www.TheaterMania.com.

Hannah and the Hollow Challah is recommended for ages 4-12.

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