A beloved children’s classic comes to life this weekend as Lancer Productions presents E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” as its Children’s Theatre production.
Performances are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium.
“At the heart of our theatre program lies a special commitment: our literacy initiative,” said producer Stacie Kintigh.
“We’re passionate about connecting families and students with the magic of storytelling, both on stage and off. Through our fundraising efforts, we aim to enhance school libraries, ensuring access to diverse and engaging books for all students. We’re dedicated to sharing the joy of reading by donating books to classrooms and guest reading in our elementary classrooms, community libraries, and local bookstores. We aim to inspire young minds and cultivate a lifelong passion for literature. As a highlight, each year, we bring a cherished book to life on stage, offering an immersive theatrical experience that celebrates the beauty of literature in a way that’s engaging for all ages.”
To that end, Lancer Productions will once again host a Scholastic Book Fair two hours prior to each performance in the auditorium lobby. There will also be a fundraiser Feb. 9-11 at the Northpark Mall Barnes & Noble. Proceeds will support North Scott libraries.
More fun is in store for audiences with a kids’ carnival, with games, prizes and selfie stations, also starting two hours prior to each performance. The carnival is sponsored by the Drama Boosters.
As a pre-show, Lancer Productions will also present the Do-Si-Do’s, a group of fifth-through-eighth graders who will perform a skit with songs.
The show will be guest directed by North Scott alum Nate Curlott and his partner, Leiren Jackson. Curlott and Jackson are professional performers who have acted in Chicago, and have spent the last three years performing in Alaska. This is their first time directing together.
“Getting to build a show with and get to know these students has been such a delight,” said Jackson. “We’ve tried to give them a tiny taste of what the professional theatre world is like. We’ve asked quite a bit of them, and it’s been so cool to see them step up to the plate. We’ve loved watching them gain confidence to make choices and live more fully onstage. They all bring such a unique energy to the stage and beyond, and our biggest hope is that they continue to celebrate and be confident in who they are and what they bring to the table in every room they’re in moving forward — performing or not.
“We’re so thrilled the students and community are excited about the show! We hope that getting to see the story come to life alongside reading it will create some lasting memories for the kiddos and bring up some fond nostalgia for the adults. At its heart, ‘Charlotte’s Web’ is a story of love and community in their most selfless forms. Every character, human or animal, is (nearly) always trying to do what they can to make some other character’s life better, from Fern throwing herself in front of her father’s axe to spare Wilbur as a runt to Templeton the rat (begrudgingly) always scaling the rafters to retrieve items out of other animals’ reach. Charlotte, a tiny, seemingly insignificant, perhaps even frightening-seeming creature is willing to pull off the impossible and sacrifice literally everything to save Wilbur, despite their surface level differences. And through that, Wilbur learns really hard lessons about true bravery and love. We hope audiences will laugh and have a great time, and we also hope they’ll be called to reflect upon what love means to them and how they can be ‘Charlottes’ to the ‘Wilburs’ in their worlds.”
The cast includes: Natalie Sierk (Fern Arable); Collin Meinert (John Arable); Charlotte Madden (Martha Arable); Jane Nichols (Avery Arable); Riley Plymale (Homer Zuckerman); Madelyn (Ray) Logsdon (Edith Zuckerman); Keegan Panther (Lurvy); Brayden Serrano (Wilbur); Isaiah Serrano (Templeton); Adison Greer (Charlotte); Lauren Pawloski (Goose); Grady Kirst (Gander); Riley Johnson (Sheep); Madi Brus (Lamb); Cyara Jackson (Owl); Ryenne Lacher (Dog); Aria Webb (Cat); Madelyn La Plant (Reporter, Fair Ensemble); Abby La Plante (Photographer, Fair Ensemble); Emma Zrostlik (Spectator 1); Taylar Vondal (Spectator 2); Benjamin Hill (Announcer); Addalie Reese (Spider Dancer, Uncle); Bella Suarez (Spider Dancer); Hailey Schaack (Spider Dancer); Katelyn Peck (Spider Dancer); Charli Conner (Joy, Fair Ensemble); Emma Windt (Ari, Fair Ensemble); Hannah Nelson (Nelli, Fair Ensemble); Callie Poinsett (Fair Ensemble).
The Do-Si-Dos include: Jax Huntley, Hayden Lacher, Arabella Miller, Makayla Miller, Sophia Nelson, Will Noonan, Riley O’Flahrity, Sophia Schmitt, Matilda Schroeder, Elena Skadal, Ally Sosnowski. They are directed by Hannah Noonan, assisted by Thomas McCarthy.
“Charlotte’s Web” is directed by Nate Curlott and Leiren Jackson, and produced by Stacie Kintigh and Emily Hintze. Student producers are Eva Lubben and Kaitlyn Knepper. Rehearsal stage manager is Mya Kelsey.
Josh Tipsword is technical director, assisted by Justin Walker. The lighting was designed by Hope Harrison. Sound design was by Kaitlyn Knepper and Ryan Stickler, who will operate the sound effects board and the sound board. Master painters are Aiden Chizek and Nora Glover. The stage crew includes Carter Dorr and Aiden Kelsey. Props are by Haidyn Koberg.
The costumes were designed by Eva Lubben, and the costume crew includes Keegan Panther, Kaitlyn Knepper, and Anna Sophia Council. The hair and makeup crew includes Gabby Andersen, Anna Hodge, Nora Glover and Marissa Carlton.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, and can be purchased at the door or in advance at tix.nshslp.com.