Columbia Children's Theatre Presents WINNIE THE POOH KIDS This Weekend

Everyone's favorite bear-that chubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff-comes to life on stage when Columbia Children's Theatre (CCT) presents Disney's Winnie the Pooh KIDS this weekend, February 5-8 with shows Thursday and Friday at 7:00 pm, Saturday at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm.

General admission tickets are $10 regular admission and $8 for active military and seniors with proper ID. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended, and may be purchased securely on-line at columbiachildrenstheatre.com. All shows take place at Columbia Children's Theatre on the second floor of Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive in Forest Acres. CCT's 2015 YouTheatre season is sponsored by Staymobile.

Disney's Winnie The Pooh KIDS is a delightful new show based on the beloved characters of A.A. Milne and the 2011 Disney animated feature film. Featuring favorite songs from the film as well as new hits by the Academy Award-winning Robert and Kristen Lopez (Frozen), this honey-filled delight is as sweet as it is fun. The action takes place in the Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie the Pooh is once again in search of honey. Along the way, he meets his pals Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit, and Owl but soon discovers that Christopher Robin has been captured by the mysterious Backson! As they prepare for a rescue operation, the animals learn about teamwork, friendship, and sharing snacks.

The play is performed by CCT's "Peanut Butter and Jelly Players," a division of the organization's YouTheatre featuring young actors in grades 1-6. The show is directed and choreographed by Crystal Aldamuy, with music direction by Paul Lindley II.

"We had no idea that this show would be so popular," said CCT Artistic Director Jerry Stevenson. "One hundered and sixty-five children came to auditions, which is the biggest turnout we've ever had!"

The final cast of 83 includes Kyra Abreu, Ian Aitken, Josie Aitken, Lilly Angel, Hermione Barringer, Tylah Belton, Daryn Binns, Max Brabham, Gabby Brailsford, Caroline Brandes, Toby Brock, Anna Brooks, Adelaide Brown, Eliza Brown, Eleanor Brumgardt, Erin Carns, Morgan Carns, Cleary Carr, Alex Cone, Sara Cook, Grace Daly, Ian Daugherty, Lindsey Daugherty, Jaleel Davis, Cooper Dempsey, Alana DeWitt, Cate Dingeldine, Coco Diveley, James DuPlessis, Bailey Eichhorn, Mathis Eichhorn, Kinsley Evans, Samuel Fleischer, Samantha Gaskin, Emmalyn Gilbreth, Nati Glowacki, Bella Guido, Destiny Hennessee, Paden Herbig, Julia Hickson, Eva Holsenback, Matthew Hyder, Julian Jones, Juliet Jones, Marion Jones, Sofie Jones, Emma Keller, Clare Kerwin, Ann Murphy Lee, Delaney LeRoy, Zoe Mason, Rian McCallum, Sam McConnell, Maricellyn McDonald, Khaleb McIntosh, Leah McMahon, Henry Melkomian, Hannah Montgomery, Carson Neil, Toby O'Connor, Ebahi Okoduwa, Piper Phipps, Lucinda Pringle, Greylyn Rentz, Estella Richardson, Aiden Roberge, Larkin Shearin, Shane Shearin, Anna Shull, Sydnee Stroud, Mary Jane Summers, Gracie Tanner, Luke Tanner, Zachariah Thomason, Jeremiah Trimble, Francesca Turner, Orlandria Washington, Avery Watson, Kamille Whaley, Carrington Williams, Javion Williams, Saniya Williams, and Ainsley Woodbrown.

Disney's Winnie the Pooh KIDS runs February 5-8, with shows Thursday and Friday at 7:00 pm, Saturday at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm. General admission tickets are $10 regular admission and $8 for active military and seniors with proper ID. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended, and may be purchased securely on-line at columbiachildrenstheatre.com.