EUGENE, Ore. -- (June 25, 2012) – Mad Duckling Children’s Theatre, a summer theatre company associated with the University of Oregon Department of Theatre Arts, will return to Amazon Park in Eugene with two plays, “Alice in Wonderland” and “Cinderella! Cinderella!,” as part of its season of adventurous tale-telling.

This season’s plays feature new twists on familiar stories about fairy tale heroines.  Audiences can expect magic, puppets, tea parties, dancing and much more.

“Alice in Wonderland,” by Willard Simms, is a highly interactive excursion through Wonderland.  Alice and her sister, Sarah, make their way through a daydream world and meet up with unexpected characters, including Rabbit, Caterpillar, Dodo Bird and the Queen.  Along the way, the audience will be asked to help create several of Wonderland’s sights and sounds. “Alice in Wonderland” runs July 10 to July 14, and July 17 to July 21, with performances at 11 a.m. in Amazon Park.  The play is directed by Tricia Rodley.

“Cinderella! Cinderella!,” by Edith Weiss, is an unexpected encounter with true beauty and self-confidence.  In this version of the fairy tale, Cinderella learns how to stand up for herself with the help of her faithful cat, Tom, and her absent-minded Fairy Godmother.  “Cinderella! Cinderella!” runs July 31 to August 4, and August 7 to August 11, with performances at 11 a.m. in Amazon Park.  The play is directed by Michelle Yeadon.

Performances on Saturday, July 14, and Saturday, August 4, will be followed by an informal “Lunch with the Characters.”  The audience is invited to bring a picnic lunch and stay after the show for conversation with the performers.

Tickets for Mad Duckling performances are $5 for everyone age 3 and over and can be purchased from the box office starting at 10:30 a.m. on the day of each performance.  Children under age 3 are free.  Ticket discounts are available for groups of 10 people or more.  Larger groups should email madduckling@uoregon.edu or call 541-346-4204 in advance. 

Both plays are produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service Inc., Englewood, Colo. and in partnership with City of Eugene Recreation Services. Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets or pillows to sit on.  Light snacks will be available for purchase.

For more information, visit http://pages.uoregon.edu/madduckling

MEDIA CONTACT: Tricia Rodley, Mad Duckling Children’s Theatre, 541-346-4204, madduckling@uoregon.edu

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