What happens when an impressionable young girl falls in love with the runt of the liter on her family farm? He grows up to be a famous porcine who helps the family win a special award at the county fair, thanks to the other animals in the barn, especially a clever spider, who happens to be an exceptional writer. Of course, this is the beloved tale of Charlotte’s Web, which marks the triumphant return of the Arden Children’s Theatre, which halted its productions during the pandemic.
The theatre company brings the heart-warming story of a special friendship between a lovable pig and everyone’s favorite spider to the stage. Adapted from E.B. White’s beloved book by Joseph Robinette, Charlotte’s Web comes to the F. Otto Haas Stage now through January 29, 2023. The delightful, engaging, and memorable show is directed by Whit MacLaughlin, and this production is a wonderful tribute to one of the greatest stories for children ever written.
The production is the perfect family holiday event, and children and adults will enjoy the humorous and heartfelt performances from all of the cast members. They will also instantly fall in love with Brennan S. Malone as the playful Wilbur, Julianna Zinkel as the Goose, Samantha Rosentrater as the lamb, Matteo Scammel as Templeton the Rat, and the extremely acrobatic Casie Girvin as Charlotte.
“We are thrilled to welcome families back through our doors to experience our first Arden Children’s Theatre production in almost three years,” notes Artistic Director Terry Nolen. “We are committed to bringing the same resources and commitment to excellence to our children’s theatre productions as we do to the rest of our season. Our kids deserve our very best, and we strive to make work that will inspire and delight for many years to come.”
All the enchanting characters are here: Wilbur, the irresistible young pig; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed; the Zuckerman family; the Arables; and, most of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte. Determined to save Wilbur, Charlotte begins her campaign with the “miracle” of her web in which she writes, “Some pig.” It’s the beginning of a victorious campaign which ultimately ends with Wilbur doing what is most important to Charlotte.
The current Arden cast includes Jessica Money as Fern Arable, Steven Anthony Wright as John Arable/Gander, Julianna Zinkel as Martha Arable/Goose, Keith Livingston as Avery Abable, Victor Rodriguez Jr. as Homer Zuckerman/Sheep, Samantha Rosentrater as Edith Zuckerman/Lamb, Matteo Scammel as Lurvey/Templeton, Brennan S. Malone as Wilbur, and Casie Girvin as Charlotte.
Single tickets to Charlotte’s Web are currently on sale at the Arden Theatre’s box office, or online at ardentheatre.org.