Columbia Children's Theatre to Present BUNNICULA

Columbia Children's Theatre (CCT), the Midlands' only professional theatre for families and young audiences will present the hilarious musical adaptation of Deborah and James Howe's popular book Bunnicula Feb. 20 - March 1. Show times are Friday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. All shows are held at Columbia Children's Theatre on the 2nd level of Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive. Tickets are $10.00 for children three years of age through adult. The 7:00 p.m. performances on Saturday evenings will have a special ticket price of $5.00 for everyone. In addition, the theatre is offering discounted matinees for schools and day care groups on February 26 & 27 at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit columbiachildrenstheatre.com, or call. CCT's 2014-2015 Season is sponsored by the Little Gym of Columbia and Lexington.

With book and lyrics by Jon Klein and music by Chris Jeffries, Bunnicula was first produced by Seattle Children's Theatre in 1996. CCT previously produced the show in 2009 in their old space at the Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center.

What do you get when you cross a dancing cat with a singing dog and a vampire bunny? Why more hilarity that you can shake a "stake" at! When Mr. & Mrs. Monroe bring home a bunny they've found at the movies, Chester the cat and Harold the dog are none too pleased. And when the juice starts disappearing from all the vegetables, the pets are convinced that he is no ordinary rabbit, but the vampire bunny Bunnicula!

The production features many CCT favorites including Toni Moore as Mrs. Monroe and Julian Deleon as Mr. Monroe. CCT YouTheatre performers Riley Smith (Guys and Dolls, The Adventures of Flat Stanley) and Kate Chalfant, (making her CCT Mainstage debut) will take on the roles of the sons Pete and Toby. Last seen as the irascible Jack Frost, CCT favorite Paul Gilbert Lindley II will appear as Chester the cat. And, in a "once in a blue moon" occurrence, CCT Artistic Director Jerry Stevenson will portray Harold the dog. The show also features Kaitlyn Fuller as Harold, Anthony Harvey as Chester and Taylor Diveley as Mr. Monroe at certain performances. Matthew Wright will reprise the role if the puppeteer, which he played in the original production when he was only 14.

In what he claims to be his "third to the last swan song," Stevenson remarked, "There are always a few actors who you really want to work with. One was Lee Smith who I did A Year with Frog and Toad with, and after having directed Paul in tons of shows I really wanted the chance to share the stage with this bright young talent. And he's really keeping me on my paws!"

Columbia Children's Theatre is a professional resident not-for-profit theatre dedicated to providing quality live theatre experiences for families and young audiences, and is supported in part by the City of Forest Acres, The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.