Stetson University opens its 108^th season with a children’s theatre show written by Hector Santiago. The Day They Stole All the Colors is a delightfully fun play that tells the story of a pirate, played by Ellen Smittle, and a cowboy, played by Jacob Manos, both pictured right, riding through the Universe on a comet stealing valuable riches from every planet. After leaving Earth, a young girl named Rene and her dog Canelo set out to chase the two bandits and stop them once and for all. Colors is directed by Julie Schmitt, director of the Theatre Arts Program, and will run from Thursday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 22. (Photo by Ken McCoy)

Mistaking a comet in the sky for a gold nugget, Pirate Tingo and Cowboy Tilingo make a rather sad attempt to capture the comet for themselves. Instead, the comet whisks the pair up into the sky, and Tingo and Tilingo begin to travel through the universe. The first planet they visit is Earth, and determine that Earth’s most valuable treasure is the colors of the planet. Tingo and Tilingo steal all of the colors, but a young girl named Rene and her dog Canelo decide that it is up to them to get the colors back. Rene and Canelo follow the Pirate and Cowboy to the planet Mars, Uranus, and even Pluto. Throughout this journey, the bandits are able to keep avoiding capture, but once Rene convinces her new friends to work together, the bandits are stopped once and for all!

“In order to bring this fantasy style play to life, we’re planning on incorporating masks, shadow puppets, and other theatre tricks to transform the stage into a universe full of planets, aliens and disappearing colors,” remarked director Julie Schmitt. “The most rewarding part of this process for me has been working with such a dedicated cast and crew. I think everyone involved in this production has been inspired by the play’s message about the importance of teamwork.”

The ensemble cast includes Amie Vaughn, Jacob Manos, Ellen Smittle, Molly Winsten, Brenna Burgess, Brianna Lancaster, Amanda Roy, Cassandra Kris, Alex Schelb, Drew Neitzey, Caron Davis, and Roxanna Ghamgosarnia.

The Day They Stole All the Colors will be presented Thursday and Friday, Sept. 19 and 20, at 8 p.m. Performances on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22 begin at 3 p.m.

Admission for each performance is $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and non-Stetson students. Stetson students, faculty, and staff presenting valid I.D. will be admitted free of charge. Stetson Theatre Arts’ “Second Stage” Theatre is located in the Museum of Florida Art at 600 N. Woodland Blvd. Parking is free. Tickets will be available at the door, and can be purchased by either cash or check. Reserved tickets must be picked up 30 minutes prior to the start of each show. For information or reservations, call Stetson Theatre’s “Second Stage” box office at (386) 822-8700. Box office will be open one hour prior to curtain of each performance. For more information, contact Julie Schmitt, theatre arts program director, at (386) 822-7525, [email protected].