The Arable family, (L-R) Erin Eames, Aaron Griffeth, Landry Howard, and Jude Major, debates what to do about Wilbur, played by Aiden DiChiacchio (kneeling), in the Radiant Cast.
Charlotte's Web opens Friday, Oct. 20, at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., next to Coolidge Park. The Youth Theatre production continues through Sunday, Oct. 29, with school and public performances on the Theatre Centre’s Mainstage.
Review for Charlotte's Web stage production:
The 1952 classic that continues to be regarded as the best-loved children’s book of all time transforms itself for the stage in an adaptation by celebrated playwright Joseph Robinette and directed by the Theatre Centre’s Youth Theatre Director Scott Dunlap.
All the enchanting characters are here: Wilbur, the irresistible young pig who desperately wants to avoid the butcher; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say; Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed; and the remarkable spider Charlotte, who proves to be a true friend.
Among the cobwebs and hay bales, the play illustrates a number of life lessons, including a celebration of nostalgia from a bygone era and, most importantly, what it really means to be a friend.
The value of friendship is the showcase, but the reality of death is addressed as well. However, it’s never dwelled upon, and audiences will leave the theatre smiling.
In featured roles are Annabelle Hill (Radiant Cast) and Eli Abercrombie (Terrific Cast) as Charlotte, Aiden DiChiacchio (Radiant Cast) and Charlie Clevenger (Terrific Cast) as Wilbur, and Erin Eames (Radiant Cast) and Mia Medlin (Terrific Cast) as Fern. Also appearing are Spencer Boren, Jude Buchanan, Sarah Davis, Landon Greene, Aaron Griffeth, Jacob Griffeth, Landry Howard, Zachary Huseman, Kristin Lowery, Mercedes MacDonald, Tobias MacDonald, Jude Major, Josie Nash, Rori Pepper, Sarah Rad, Ellen Rich, Jack Rogers, Autumn Schulmeister, Zach Schulmeister, Maya Scribner, Emma Tuttle, Lydian Warren, Madeline Warren, and Rachel Young. Stage managers are Turk Buck and Sofia DeCredico.
Show Times:
Oct. 20 and Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 fpr children and adults and are available at the Box Office, 423.267.8534 or at TheatreCentre.com.
The barnyard animals of the Terrific Cast include (L-R) Charlie Clevenger as Wilbur (seated); Maya Scribner, Mercedes MacDonald, Sarah Davis, Kristin Lowery, and Autumn Schulmeister (standing); and Eli Abercrombie as Charlotte and Zachary Huseman as Templeton (in back).