Columbia Children's Theatre's 10th Season Opens with HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, Now thru 9/28

Columbia Children's Theatre (CCT), the Midlands' only professional theatre for families and young audiences will present How I Became a Pirate, today, September 19-28. Show times are Friday, September 18 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. There will be a special "adults only" Late Night Date Night performance at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26. 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. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com. For more information contact CCT at (803) 691-4548. CCT's 2014-2015 Season is sponsored by The Little Gym of Columbia and Lexington.

Based on the best-selling children's book by Greenville's Melinda Long and opening on National Talk Like a Pirate Day, this rollicking musical by Janet Vogt and Mark Friedman follows Jeremy Jacob as he heads to the high seas with a band of singing and dancing pirates. Lead by Captain Braid Beard the pirates teach Jeremy how to "Talk Like a Pirate," and how to "Read the Map," and Jeremy teaches the bumbling pirates about his favorite pastime, soccer! An expert sandcastle builder Jeremy helps Braid Beard and his crew locate just the right spot to bury their treasure.

The production features CCT veteran Lee O. Smith reprising his role of Braid Beard first performed with CCT in a different production in 2007. Ashlyn Combs, (Annie, The Christmas Doll, Rapunzel) will portray young Jeremy Jacob. Everyone's favorite man/child Paul Lindley II (The Stinky Cheese Man, The Christmas Doll, Puss in Boots, Snow White) will tackle the role of the nerdy, know-it-all Swill. Last seen on the CCT stage as an irascible elf in Ho, Ho, Ho! Andy Nyland takes on the role of Shark Tooth, the most evil of the pirates who's "Really Just a Sensitive Guy," The effete pirate, Chef Pierre is played by Julian DeLeon (Snow White, Puss in Boots, The Stinky Cheese Man) and Seymore Braunschwagger, the first mate will be played by Anthony Harvey (Snow White, Willy Wonka, The Commedia Rapunzel.) The only wench in the bunch, Pirate Maxine will be portrayed by Brandi Smith, last seen on the CCT stage in Knuffle Bunny.

CCT Artistic Director Jerry Stevenson is at the helm, with choreography by Crystal Aldamuy and musical direction by Paul Lindley II. "Who can resist a show about singing and dancing pirates who try to play soccer on a ship?" remarked Stevenson. "And I'm not going to tell you how they get their ball back! But they might just need "a bigger boat!"

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com or call (803) 691-4548.

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