PITTSBURGH, PA - Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, is proud to present the area premiere of Pigeon Party! by Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company from England. Big Wooden Horse presents this charming musical stage production, based on award-winning author Mo Willems' three "Pigeon" tales for children, from January 24 through January 31, 2010 at six locations in the greater Pittsburgh area. Citizens Bank is the proud season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children's Theater family series.

Mo Willems' Pigeon is back and ready to party! Squeezing all the fun of the first three Pigeon tales by award winning author Mo Willems (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!, and Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!) into one raucous production, this lively show for children ages 3 and up is full of fun, feathers, laughter and excitement, and features original music and lots of audience participation. Can you stop Pigeon from driving the bus? Will Pigeon share the hot dog? And after all that it's time for bed. The Bus Driver wants Pigeon to go to bed, all his friends want him to go to bed, but the question is will YOU let him stay up late?

Mo Willems (Author) began his career as a writer and animator for PBS' Sesame Street, where he garnered 6 Emmy Awards for his writing. During his nine seasons at Sesame Street, Mo also served as a weekly commentator for BBC Radio and created two animated series, Nickelodeon's The Off-Beats and Cartoon Network's Sheep in the Big City. While serving as head writer for Cartoon Network's #1 rated show, Codename: Kids Next Door, Mo began writing and drawing books for children. His debut effort, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! became a New York Times Bestseller and was awarded a Caldecott Honor in 2004. In addition to writing award winning children's books and "easy readers" series, Willems is a cartoon illustrator and radio broadcaster.

Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company aims to present high quality theatre to younger audiences across the United Kingdom and abroad. The company believes that young people deserve the highest quality of writing, performance and production that a professional theatre company can offer; and strives to entertain and inform young people, drawing from different cultures and traditions to present entertaining and educational work. "A fine piece of theatre." (The Stage) Adapted from the books by Mo Willems, the musical adaptation Pigeon Party! is directed by Adam Bampton-Smith (founder of Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company); music by Shock Productions; lyrics by Guy Picot; design by Clair Sutherland and lighting design by Will Evans. Cast members will feature Charlotte Cooper as Pigeon and Alex Scott Fairley as the Bus Driver, Hot Dog Man and Duckie.

Pigeon Party! will be presented at the following locations:

• City: Byham Theater: Sunday, January 24 at 2:00 p.m. and student performance Monday, January 25 at 10:15 a.m.
• East: Gateway High School: Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m.
• North: Pine-Richland High School: Thursday, January 28 at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• West: Moon Area High School: Friday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m.
• South: Keystone Oaks High School: Saturday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; and
• Butler: Seneca Valley High School, Sunday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m.

Individual tickets for Pigeon Party! are $11. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.pgharts.org or call (412) 456-6666. Group tickets can be ordered by calling (412) 471-6930 or online at www.pgharts.org. 

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, sponsors, presents, promotes, and premieres international, national, and regional performing arts and visual arts programming of professional quality for the cultural enrichment and education of children and families. www.pghkids.org