MILFORD - Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc, a not-for-profit professional theater company for family audiences, will presents its new holiday musical, The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus, weekends from December 2 until December 28. Performances will be at Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Avenue (on the eastbound side of the Metro-North tracks).

Based on the book by L. Frank Baum (author of The Wizard of Oz), the new musical chronicles the life of Claus from his humble beginnings in an enchanted forest of mythical beings to his famous toy deliveries throughout the world. Bert Bernardi has written the book and lyrics with a musical score by Justin Rugg.

"The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a sweeping saga of love, joy and peace," said Mr Bernardi. "It's funny, uplifting and inspiring for audiences of all ages."

Co-Producer Jimmy Johansmeyer, who will also be designing the costumes, added, "It's fun to watch the three actors who play Claus - first as a young boy, then in his teenage years, and finally as the man we all know and love."

Joining Mr Johansmeyer and Mr Rugg in the cast are Pantochino favorites Mary Mannix, Shelley Marsh Poggio, Andrea Pane, and Dale Allen. Also in the cast are Jaxon Beirne, Dani Corrigan, Nicholas Ferreira, Hazel Foley, Olivia Foley, Adeline Horne, Genevieve Horne, Nathan Horne, Brianna Joy Jackson, Hannah Kupson, Kylie Poggio, Nick Porello, Thea Ryan, Jane Shearin, and Matthew Sullivan.

Newtown resident Jane Shearin will play Necile, a mythical being who discovers Claus as a baby and watches over him throughout his life. The young actor has appeared at Hartford Stage, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Musicals at Richter, and at New York City's 54 Below.

The show features set designs by Von Del Mar, lighting by Jeff Carr, sound design by Sara Brown and Alejandro Lopez as stage manager.

In keeping with the season of giving, and the mission of Santa Claus to make children happy, Pantochino is partnering with Food2Kids, a local charitable organization created to bridge the food gap for some of the community's neediest children.

"We'll be taking a collection at each performance in support of this most worthy organization" said Mr Bernardi.

Performances of The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus will be Fridays at 7:30 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm.

A special Saturday 5:30 pm performance is also being offered on December 3.

Tickets are $20 online, at pantochino.com. They will be $22 at the door.

Further details are available by calling 203-937-6206 or visiting the nonprofit organization's website.

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