The University of Missouri-Rolla will present five professional productions for the 2004-2005 season of the UMR Family Series. All events will be held in Leach Theatre of Castleman Hall on the UMR campus. The Family Series is presented by the UMR Department of Student Life.

"Moving sculpture" Michael Cooper will present Masked Marvels and Wondertales in the UMR Family Series Feb. 12, 2005.

Tickets for individual performances are $8 for adults and $6 for youths age 18 and younger. For more ticket information, call the Leach Theatre Box Office at (573) 341-4219.

This year, the Family Series will offer patrons a punch-card to Family Series performances. The Sir Leach Family Series Punch Card is $25 and provides admission to any of the five Family Series shows, saving audience members up to $15 each. Patrons can use the card to purchase one admission for each of the five performances, or five admissions for one performance, says Emily Preston, Leach Theatre house manager. More information about the punch card is also available at the Leach Theatre Box Office.

The 2004-2005 Family Series includes:

A Double Feature in Puppetry, presented by Wood and Strings Puppet Theatre, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. These four professional puppeteers will perform two productions, each featuring distinctive puppetry styles and folklore from around the world. The show will be comprised of "An Ire-ish Tale," a wild romp through Elfin lore performed with body and rod puppets; and "Out of the Mist? a Dragon," a magical tale performed with classic puppet styles from around the world.

Babes in Toyland, presented by American Family Theatre, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3. Experience this contemporary adaptation of a classic favorite. The production brings to life Jack and Jill, the toy soldiers, and all the friends who share adventures in Toyland and the Magic Forest. It features Victor Herbert songs like "The March of the Toys," as well as several new songs by award-winning playwright and composer Don Kersey.

Masked Marvels and Wondertales, presented by Michael Cooper, 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005. Combining the mythical and the autobiographical, Michael Cooper is truly a "moving sculpture." His one-man show features handcrafted masks, original stories of courage and wonder, outlandish stiltdancing, and a physical repertoire that ranges from the madcap to the sublime.

The Sword in the Stone, presented by Traveling Lantern Theatre Company, 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2005. Based on the classic tale, young Arthur stumbles upon an unusual friend, an old sorcerer named Merlin. With Merlin’s guidance, Arthur is astonished to discover that he is the only person in the kingdom who can pull an embedded sword from its massive stone pedestal.

The Little Mermaid, presented by American Family Theatre, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2005. This full-scale musical brings to life Hans Christian Anderson’s tale in a timeless spectacle filled with excitement and special effects.