A story of a boy and his bear

IF YOU GOWhat: "The House at Pooh Corner."When: 7:30 p.m. today, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.Where: Catoosa County Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga.Admission: $11 adults, $9 seniors and students.Phone: 706-935-9000.Website: www.cdoorent.com

When Heidi Riddle was deciding what play to direct for Closed Door Entertainment, she knew she wanted to do a show that could appeal to smaller kids.

"I want everybody of all ages to be able to experience the theater. Sometimes, we tend to focus on the older people and the adults."

But Riddle found the play she chose had appeal across the board. "['The House at] Pooh Corner' can expand from little kids up to adults," she said.

The story focuses on Christopher Robin leaving the Hundred Acre Wood to go off to school. The lessons inherent in the play, adapted from the book of the same name by A.A. Milne, are about the importance of education, about saying goodbye, about growing up and about friendship.

"If you hang together, everything's going to be OK," Riddle said. "Sometimes a true friend lets others go to experience new life challenges."

"The House at Pooh Corner," she added, shows that education and friends should be held in equal regard.

Of Milne's beloved characters, Riddle said she has the most fondness for Eeyore.

"He looks down at life, but at the same time, he appreciates his friends reaching out and helping him. In this story, they help teach Eeyore what friendship is about."

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