Puss in Boots Holiday Panto December 7, 2012

Dec 7, 8, 14, 15 at 7:30pm; Dec 8, 9, 15, 16 at 2pm

Pleasanton Civic Arts Stage Company presents 'Puss In Boots' Holiday Panto, their hugely popular annual 'fractured fairy-tale' musical comedy. Based on the beloved French fairytale by Charles Perrault, this world-premiere panto musical by local playwright Kate Hawley features a sassy cat who promises to solve the problems of a poor miller's son. Puss charms the Queen, befuddles the Prime Minister, defeats the powerful wizard Kazaam, and helps her shy master and Princess Sweetiepie fall madly in love. Featuring original songs by local composer Chris Houston, the positive message about just being yourself makes this musical a gem.

"Panto" (short for "pantomime") is not to be confused with the silent "mime" performance genre made famous by French mime master Marcel Marceau (think: black tights and white painted faces). Rather Panto is a lively irreverent musical-comedy production beloved for centuries in Great Britain, and most often performed during the Christmas season. American theater from vaudeville to Saturday Night Live owe their existence to the cherished and iconic Pantos of England.

Puss in Boots follows the panto tradition of being based on traditional children's stories. Plot lines are then adapted for comic or satiric effect, and always incorporate audience participation, slapstick, inside jokes, cross-dressing, song, dance, and all kinds of silliness.

In this version of Puss in Boots, the role of the Queen was written especially for returning guest actor Paula Wujek. Guest artist David Moore, appearing with Civic Arts Stage Company for the first time, has dual roles as the snooty Prime Minister Pratt and the evil wizard Kazaam.

In addition to returning director Rebecca Ennals, Katie O'Bryon reprises her role as company choreographer, along with set and lighting designer Steve Mannshardt and sound designer Ryan Lee Short. New staff music director Angela Zullinger and costume designer Sophia Thorsen round out the senior production roster.

Official Website: http://www.firehousearts.org