Original Direction / Staging – Jonathan Rockefeller
Composition & Sound Design – Nate Edmondson Puppets created by The Rock Shop
Jan 24 - Feb 15, 2026 I McColl Family Theatre
Staged for CTC by Steven Levine
Lighting Design for CTC by Lawrence Csernik
RUN TIME 45 MINUTES
Videotaping, photography and other recording of this production is prohibited.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Today’s celebration is brought to you, in part, by
David Holland
Brian Litwak
Sarah Pollock
Nichelle & Sasha Weintraub
Lisa & Ken Miller
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is supported, in part, by the City of Charlotte, and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Additional support is provided by the Shubert Foundation.
The 2025-26 Season
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Plus, enjoy free ticket exchanges if your family’s schedule Changes, and a 20% savings on any additional tickets you purchase duing the season.
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JOURNEY WITH US
FOR THIS PRODUCTION
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Run Crew
Sound Mixer
Light Board Operator
Steven James Sam Albritton
Loren Moody, Sam Albritton
Michael Russo
Amber Bidwell
C A S T
Richard Edward III
PJ Barnes
Danielle Renee Houston
Richard Edward III
Richard Edward III (BFA Illinois) made his debut last season with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in SCHOOL OF ROCK, and this year he is thrilled to return in THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW. Earlier in the season, Richard was cast as Coach Comet and Yukon Cornelius (RUDOLPH THE REDNOSED REINDEER). Richard recently appeared as Lucius (TITUS ANDRONICUS) with South Carolina Shakespeare Company. Catch him later this season at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in FROZEN THE MUSICAL. Richard has built a dynamic career spanning classical drama to contemporary family theatre. As an advocate for dyslexia awareness, he is passionate about using storytelling to empower people to see their unique strengths as superpowers. Based in Columbia, South Carolina, he lives with his wife and two daughters.
MEET THE CAST
PJ Barnes
PJ Barnes is excited to be part of THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW! After spending the past 2 years as an Teaching Artist at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, he’s excited to finally be debuting in such a fun show! PJ got his theatre degree at UNCW in 2010 and has been teaching and performing ever since! He would like to dedicate his performances to his beautiful wife Jasmin and his three amazing children, Duke, Barry and Rose-Marie.
MEET THE CAST
Danielle Renee Houston
Danielle Renee Houston is an award-winning actress, singer, dancer, and musician. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), where she was recognized as the “Most Valuable Performer” in her graduating class. Following her education, Danielle studied acting extensively in various cities across the country, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago. In addition to her work, both onstage and in film and television, she performs as a professional mermaid in aquariums throughout the United States. Danielle has appeared in numerous stage productions, short films, commercials, and feature-length movies, and has worked on multiple professional sets, including THE 24TH and BLACK PANTHER : WAKANDA FOREVER. Currently, she has completed work on several independent films and a BET+ original movie. Danielle is excited to be making her debut performance with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.
MEET THE CAST
THE CREATORS
ERIC CARLE is the acclaimed and beloved creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. His best known work, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” has nibbled its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into 62 languages and sold over 41 million copies. Since the Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 132 million copies of his books have sold around the world.
JONATHAN ROCKEFELLER is the co-founder of Rockefeller Productions, a company that combines film, theatre, animation, puppetry and television. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show”, created by Jonathan, was nominated for a Drama Desk Award and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Family Show. Beyond the stage, Jonathan and Eric Carle teamed up to produce and direct an animated version of “10 Little Rubber Ducks based on Eric Carle’s book of the same name and narrated by Bernadette Peters. “10 Little Rubber Ducks” is available on itunes.
Eat, Shop, & Drink Here
Show your ticket from The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at The Market at 7th Street for 10% off your purchase.
Offer good through February 15
MORE PUPPET EXPERIENCES
PHOTO OP - From your seat
Immediately after the show, the puppeteers will bring some puppets back onstage. You’ll be able to take photos from your seat. Get your cameras ready!
PUPPETPALOOZA
- Sat, Feb 7 - 10 AM - 4:30 PM
Join us at ImaginOn for the third annual puppetry festival! PuppetPalooza 2026 is an all-day, nonstop, FREE, family-friendly event celebrating the joy and art of puppetry, and all ages are welcome.
Experience the best puppetry troupes from the East Coast to perform, with shows starting every fifteen minutes, all day long, as well as puppet parades, karaoke, workshops, games, and crafts.
SCAN FOR THE FULL LINEUP OF EVENTS
Photos by John Merrick
“With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between the home and school. To me home represents, or should represent, warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There are new people, a teacher, classmates—will they be friendly? The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun.” - Eric Carle
