“Charlotte’s Web” at Bavaria Performing Arts in Grafenwöhr (Alia Carita Tompkins)
An inspirational story of friendship, the youth performance of “Charlotte’s Web” at Bavaria Performing Arts in Grafenwöhr follows the unexpected bond between a pig and a spider.
Based on the popular children’s book and directed by Rachael Harper, this family-friendly show found the audience immersed in the sights and sounds of farm life. It felt like a summer evening outdoors.
Wilbur (Elanna Teeme) is the naïve runty pig who has become a pet of the farmer’s daughter Fern (Caroline Boals). Soon, the pig is too big stay with Fern and is sent to live on the farm owned by her uncle Homer Zuckerman (Alexander Threatt).
“Charlotte’s Web” at Bavaria Performing Arts in Grafenwöhr (Alia Carita Tompkins)
“Charlotte’s Web” at Bavaria Performing Arts in Grafenwöhr (Alia Carita Tompkins)
At the new farm, Wilbur strikes up a friendship with spider Charlotte (Chanel Castillaja) who also lives in the barn. Soon Charlotte makes it her mission to use her web-weaving skills to make Wilbur seem special, hoping to save him from become food for the farmer.
Between the spider web props, farm setting and the carnival scenery (complete with cotton candy props and background sounds), there was a real feeling of immersion into rural life.
As the story progresses, friendship deepens between the spider and the pig. Charlotte works hard to save his life, even as her own is coming to an end. And, while most may overlook a scary, creepy spider, Wilbur validates her. “I think you’re beautiful,” he tells Charlotte in a tearjerker moment.
“Charlotte’s Web” at Bavaria Performing Arts in Grafenwöhr (Alia Carita Tompkins)
“Charlotte’s Web” at Bavaria Performing Arts in Grafenwöhr (Alia Carita Tompkins)
“Charlotte’s Web” at Bavaria Performing Arts in Grafenwöhr (Alia Carita Tompkins)
The all-youth cast was large, and they brought out the best of this classic tale, from the many animals, to the human characters. Fern’s sibling Avery (Elizabeth Hume) added a mischievous humor, while the greedy rat Templeton (Danielle Malan) brought the cynicism. And while each barnyard animal had cute costumes, Templeton’s was unique and gave that ‘sneaky rat’ impression at their first step on stage.
In the end, this impressive cast brought the audience on a journey of friendship and finding beauty that has been overlooked by others.
