Can you go on an exciting undersea adventure in the middle of downtown Abilene? The answer is a happy yes for families who attend John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean, a one-of-a-kind, black light musical featuring extraordinary puppets, glow-in-the-dark sets and memorable, original songs. This unique show is coming to the Paramount Theatre on March 3, presented by the Children’s Performing Arts Series.
Audiences will be charmed by Bubbles, Tank and Dorsel, three best friends who happen to be fish. Their heartwarming adventures are at the center of the 50 minute production which incorporates comedy and a wide variety of music, from rollicking swing and big band to rhythm and blues.
ImaginOcean opened in New York in March, 2010, and began a U.S. tour in September, 2011. The show was created by John Tartaglia, a 12-year veteran of Sesame Street and a Tony Award nominated Broadway performer. Tartaglia is perhaps best known for his critically-acclaimed Disney Channel show Johnny and the Sprites, for which he received an Emmy Award nomination.
Following the Abilene performance of ImaginOcean, the 2012-2013 CPAS season will conclude with Pinkalicious, The Musical on April 21. Both shows will be followed by entertaining after parties for party-level season ticket holders. The parties will feature crafts, snacks and a variety of games, along with a chance to meet and take pictures with cast members.
For those wishing to attend the shows and parties, two-show season ticket packages are available for $32. Single tickets are only $8 per show. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the CPAS website at www.abilenecac.org/cparts. 
The Children’s Performing Arts Series, a division of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council (ACAC), has been presenting great live performances for families in the Abilene area since 1985. Every year families flock to the Paramount Theatre to enjoy affordable, professional theatrical performances that run the gamut from fairy tales to folk music, says ACAC director Lynn Barnett, who helped found the children’s series over 25 years ago.
“We modeled the children’s series on the Paramount Performing Arts Series which started a few years previously and which had been a big success,” says Barnett. “We decided we should offer the same thing to the children that the adults were enjoying!”
In the beginning, the Dian Graves Owen Foundation donated $25,000 to help launch an endowment effort for the series and over the years many generous individuals, businesses and foundations have lent their support. The goal has always been to make the shows accessible to everyone. Sponsorships help keep ticket prices low and enable CPAS to donate about 200 tickets for each performance to families with limited means.
Barnett has enjoyed seeing the series flourish for more than three decades. “We’re glad to have begun something that has been shared by so many families,” she says. “We’ve been able to enjoy years of happily ever after.”
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