Popular children's book adapted for stage

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" will make its Southern California premiere when it opens Sept. 26 for a two-week run at the Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga."If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" is the mad-cap tale of an energetic mouse and a boy who quickly learns that his generosity has messy consequences. The innocent offering of a cookie to small mouse goes from mishap to calamity to catastrophe. The stage production is an adaptation of the famous book by Laura Joffe Numeroff and stars Kelly Huddleston and Gavin Perry. "Our audition notice stated that the show is a 'frenetic physical adventure,' " said Mireya Hepner, producer of MainStreet Theatre Company. "Our actors needed to have gymnastic and/or circus skills and not be afraid of heights. Our two-actor cast meets those requirements and more. The play really is a zany, exhaustive romp." Huddleston (Mouse) returns to MainStreet after portraying the title role in "Dreams of Anne Frank" during MainStreet's second season. Her extensive background includes theater roles such as Juliet and Celia in productions of "Romeo and Juliet" and "As You Like It," and numerous film and TV roles, including parts in "Dexter," "Dirt" and "Mad Men." Perry (Boy) has an impressive resume of theater roles, including the lead in "Suburbia" at Company of Angeles. He has appeared on TV and the big, including in feature films "Boys Don't Cry" and "The Newton Boys." "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" is appropriate for children as young as 4. Performances will be given Saturdays at 1 and 4 p.m., and one Sunday matinee Oct. 4 at 1 p.m., which will also be interpreted in American Sign Language. Tickets are $16.50 for general admission, $14.50 for seniors, and $13.50 for kids up to 12. For tickets and information, call (909) 477-2752 or go to www.lewfamilyplayhouse.com. The Lewis Family Playhouse is a 536-seat venue located at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, in Rancho Cucamonga.

********** Published: August 28, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 19