Columbia Children's Theatre's SEUSSICAL Opens Next Weekend

"Oh, the thinks you can think" when you hurry to Columbia Children's Theatre's (CCT) newest production: Seussical, running April 15-24.

The production opens April 15, with a special red carpet party at 6:00 p.m. followed by the show at 7:00. Regular show times are Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. All performances are held at Columbia Children's Theatre on the 2nd level of Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive. Opening night tickets are $15.00 for children and $20 for adults. Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday performances 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. The 2:00 performance on Saturday April 16, will be signed for the deaf and hearing impaired. Advance tickets can be purchased securely online at columbiachildrenstheatre.com. For more information, contact CCT at 803-691-4548.

About the Production
Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime) have lovingly brought to life all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination - Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos!

The cast (one of the largest casts ever assembled for a CCT Mainstage production), features Kendrick Marion as the mischievous Cat in The Hat and Julian Deleon as the loveable Elephant Horton. Jackie Rowe takes on the role of Gertrude McFuzz while Ashlyn Combs plays the irresponsible Mayzie. The cast also includes Brandi Smith as the Sour Kangaroo, Andy Nyland as Mr. Mayor, and Kaitlyn Fuller as Mrs. Mayor. The Bird Girls will be played by Bailey Sendler, Wallace Dowey, and Erica Cooper. Taylor Diveley will play Yertle the Turtle and a Wickersham Brother. Three young actors from CCT's Peanut Butter and Jelly Players will share the role of JoJo: Courtney-Hope Diveley, Grace Sawicki, and Blair Kirkland.

On Friday, April 15 at 6:00 p.m., CCT is partnering with Columbia SC Moms Blog to host an Opening Night Carnival. Pre-show activities include interactive games, craft station, face painting, door prizes, and a costume contest. Guests will nosh on goodies by PDQ and TnT Sweets. At 7:00, attendees will be treated to the premiere performance of Seussical followed by a meet and greet with the cast. Tickets for the opening night performance and reception are $15 for children and $20 for adults, and are available at columbiasc.citymomsblog.com.

Friday, April 22 at 8:00 p.m. will see the return of CCT's underground, adults-only experience, Late Night Date Night. A unique concept for a children's theatre, this performance allows the cast to perform the script with strategic emphasis and innuendo that gives rise to unpredictable comedy best reserved for ages 16 and older. Admission to Late Night Date Night is $10, and adult beverages will be available.

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, and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.