Contact: Sasha Steinberg

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Theatre MSU is opening its 53rd season Saturday [Oct. 1] at 2 p.m. with “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” children’s show on the university’s McComas Hall main stage.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children age 10 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the door prior to each performance or in advance at www.comm.msstate.edu/theatre/tickets.

This public performance follows a week of matinees for more than 3,200 students at local schools, as well as those in surrounding communities.

“‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ is a story that so many people adore. Its messages of hope, honor and the fight between good and evil are ideas that connect with so many people regardless of age,” said director Cody Stockstill.

An MSU assistant professor and theatre coordinator, Stockstill said student-actors have spent several weeks practicing puppeteering techniques from various cultures to prepare for the show.

“It’s been fun to develop the book’s human characters, as well as its fantasy creatures and animals,” Stockstill said. “This production will utilize both live-action and puppets to bring the creatures of Narnia to life.”

The department will present three other productions in McComas Hall this season. Also open to all, these shows include:

--Nov. 17-18, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 20, 2 p.m., Oscar Wilde’s satirical classic, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

--Feb. 16-18, 2017, 7:30 p.m., the laugh-out-loud comedic romp, “Boeing, Boeing.”

--April 20-22, 2017, 7:30 p.m., Arthur Miller’s American classic, “The Crucible.”

For more information, contact Stockstill at 662-325-3320 or cstockstill@comm.msstate.edu.

Theatre MSU is a program of MSU’s Department of Communication, available online at www.comm.msstate.edu. Follow Theatre MSU on Facebook and Twitter @TheatreMSU.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.