Kirk Players to present 'Charlotte's Web'
Kirk Players will close out their 49th season with "Charlotte's Web," a stage adaptation by Joseph Robinette based on the American classic written by E.B. White.
The show, for children and adults of all ages, will run at 7 p.m. Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, and 2 p.m. June 13 and Sunday, June 14.
"The story is so simply and charmingly written, you almost forget it's a fantasy," said Jon Matousek, director for the show. "I call it a farm fantasy, and our challenge is to tease out the fantasy while staying true to the author's focus. So our animals must, first, be real animals and our farm folks must be hardworking, real farmers. Then the magic of the fantasy has an even greater impact."
The cast and crew of nearly 40 Kirk Player members, guest performers and technicians, and students representing 15 schools in the Lake County area will present the show at the Mundelein High School auditorium.
"We have developed a fun formula of combining all ages in our children's show - youngsters who've never been on stage all the way up to seasoned veterans - and, generally, it's a marvelous experience for all," Matousek said.
"It never fails to produce magical moments on and offstage during rehearsal time. This is a very talented and focused ensemble."
The story is about Wilbur (played by Brooke Mellen), a spring pig who, through the help of young Fern Arable (Madisyn Chiarello), meets and befriends Charlotte A. Cavatica (played by Mary Jo Pippenger).
Charlotte, with the help of her animal friends - Goose (Lexi Hazen), Gander (Nicholas Ahlstrand), Old Sheep (Bruce Young), Lamb (Sierra Bouchard) and even an obnoxious rat, Templeton (Nathanial Brautigam), - devises a plan to save her friend from the farmhouse dinner table, even at the cost of her own life.
Storytellers, April (Emily Chiarello), May (Ellie Mellen) and June (Sarah Joy Pechtl) add a unique dimension to the classic story.
Farmers John Arable (Jeff Griffith) and Martha Arable (Amy Hansen) and son Avery (Jack Hansen) and Homer (Martin Hill) and Edith (Susie Hill) Zuckerman are joined by farmhand Lurvy (Robert Markle) to round out the primary roles.
"It's a story of friendship, loyalty and sacrifice on several levels and has a message for all ages," Matousek said.
Patrick Blake is the assistant director, and Brian Motyka and Jess Stowe make up the stage manager team. Brenda Sparks and Gary Gunther are set designers, Amanda Villareal is costume mistress, Chuck Fitz-Hugh is lighting designer, Justin Sanchak is sound designer and Beverly Johnson is props mistress. Bob Pechtl is guest videographer.
Tickets are available by calling (847) 521-6192 or visiting www.kirkplayers.org. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.