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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 11, 2012)
TH EATER BY ANNA G RACE A FINELY WOVEN TALE Lane Community College presents Charlotte’s Web “ T errific!” “Radiant!” “Humble!” Any of these web-woven words can be used to describe E.B. White’s timeless story of a spider who saves her friend Wilbur with a few, well-chosen adjectives. For decades readers have fallen in love with the thoughtful little pig as he negotiates a barnyard full of opinionated critters and kind-hearted humans who have every intention of eating him. Director Sparky J. Roberts crafts a high-energy play full of humor and action. She sets the scene with slide projections and short video clips, then the scrim rises to reveal a massive barn interior with ladders, hale bales and plenty of nooks and crannies for the characters to play through. Joseph Robinette’s script neatly transfers the story to stage and has the honor of being approved by White himself. The animals clearly steal the show. From shuddering sheep to strutting geese, a lot of work obviously went into the physical performance. Nick Caisse’s Templeton is half break dancer, half con artist and all rat. Talia Barnes is an elegant Charlotte the spider. Ben Buchanan genuinely expresses Wilbur’s youthful curiosity and open-hearted adoration of his friends. He really is “some pig!” Those cast as humans have tougher jobs, as they serve more as a chorus than characters. John Arredondo receives laughs as Lurvy the farmhand. Roberts directs this play with an eye to her adult audience as well. She cast several U.S. military veterans and subtly highlights their contributions to society throughout the production. While Charlotte’s Web is by no means an allegory for war, a connection on can be made in Charlotte’s sacrifice for her dear friend Wilbur. The production is set in the 1950s, with music and costuming. The nostalgia is a touch heavy, as the ’50s were a time of innocence ocence and idealism for only a select few, and putting ting a timeless story in an overly stylized period is s jarring. This play should be packed ed with children. My 9-year-old co-reviewer Owen n was enthralled. But press materials say, “Because e of the show’s length (90 minutes with an intermission) ission) and emotional content, children must be at least eight years old to attend the performances, no exceptions.” Staging a great adaptation beloved on of f a be belo love ved d children’s book and not allowing children? wing ... child ldre ren? n? Wrong. Younger children, like ke all of u us, s,, can an see that there is suffering in the world. Since S nc Si nce e it is impossible keep our children ch hildr d en dr e n from f ro r m feeling pain, it is downright unet unethical e hical to o deny them access to arts that help p all of us humans make sense of the world. Charlotte’s Web is beautiful precisely because it t deals with the cycle of life and death. While the show is not for toddlers, any thoughtful school-aged ool-aged child will be entertained and moved by this his play. I would havee snuck my own 7-year-old in n had she not opted to stay home and watch football ll with her grandma. Ultimately, E.B. White’s s message of love and perseverance is one we all could uld stand reviewing, and LCC presents a colorful, engaging gaging adaptation. ■ FERN ɑCRISTINA HERNANDEZɒ AND WILBUR THE RUNT Charlotte’s Web runs Oct. 4-20 at LCC; $10, $5 for children 12 and under. flig hts Get Your Tickets Now!! of im ag in ati | BEALL CONCERT HALL on 2012–13 SERIES “. . . unsurpassed . . .” —The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) SEVEN SHOWS ONLY October 26-November 10, 2012 Tickets available at actorscabaret.org/tickets Book by Kevin Murphy & Dan Studney Music by Dan Studney Lyrics by Kevin Murphy Directed by Joe Zingo Call 541- 683-4368 NOW BOOKING HOLIDAY PARTIES! Juilliard String Quartet 3:00 p.m. | Sunday, October 14 Tickets: Hult Center | UO Ticket Office 541-682-5000 music.uoregon.edu/cmb NEW HOURS BEGIN NOVEMBER 6th! 2 ★ 201 IRON E E F R C W H N N I EUGENE EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity. ★ LAND & PORT DINNER Tuesday-Thursday 4-10 Friday & Saturday 4-11, Sunday 4-10 HAPPY HOUR Tuesday-Saturday 4-6 & an hour before closing! NOW OPEN SUNDAYS! 2101 BAILEY HILL RD., SUITE L 5 4 1 - 6 8 4 - 8 8 8 8 • W W W. K O H O B I S T R O . N E T eugeneweekly.com • October 11, 2012 29
