“Charlotte’s Web” review by Al Bresloff with help from Anna and Jack

***** It has been a while since I had a little one to read to, so going to see a stage version  of the 1953  “Charlotte’s Web” written by E.B. White brought back some long forgotten memories. Thank the lord I have junior reviewers Anna and her brother Jack. They were much more into the story and Anna did explain a little to me. This production presented at The Greenhouse Theatre Center on Lincoln Avenue is part of the Young Peoples Theatre of Chicago’s season. This company not only brings great works of literature to the stage, but during the week, they make their theater available to inner city children, who might never be exposed to live theater. My hat goes off to them. By the way, if you purchase some of their little “piggies”, the proceeds help to make that happen!

Speaking of “piggies”, back to the story, Charlotte’s Web ( this adaptation is by Joseph Robinette) is the story of a little piglet, Wilbur ( a beautiful portrayal by Renzo Vicente) and his owner’s daughter, Fern ( deftly handled by Elin Joy Seller). Her family cannot keep him so they bring him to the farm down the road where he suspects they will fatten him up and eventualy he will become bacon and ham for someone’s meal. Once he is moved, all the other farm animals convince him that his shelf life is short, and once they fatten him up, that will be it.

Meanwhile, in the barn, there is a spider. Her name is Charlotte (  Mary-Margaret McCormack is very mysterious). She feels for this pig, and so she does some unusual thinks with her web, changing it from time to time with words. Her first message is “some pig” and the owner of the farm feels that he has witnessed a miracle. Wilbur must be saved. Every time it appears that Wilbur’s time  might be over, a new word appears. Terrific, then radiant and the last one, “humble”. Homer ( Matt Frye, who plays many parts) decides to take him to the County Fair in hopes of him winning the Blue Ribbon.

I will tell you that the outcome anticipated by Homer etal, is not exactly what they expected, but due to the work of Charlotte, Wilbur’s bacon is saved and he goes back home to spend the rest of his days on the glory train. By the way, while Charlotte is bringing Wilbur victory, she lays some eggs (514) and they return to the farm with Wilbur, all coming alive and all spreading their love all over the world.

The story is about love and friendship as well as cooperation and respect for others. I will add the words of my junior reviewers below, but must tell you about some of the other cast members.Kaylah Marie Crosby handles several major roles and I must say her Goose is adorable, Cameron Nalley is a perfect Templeton and the amazing Dakota Hughes is the narrator, the gander, somebody’s uncle, Avery and a reporter. Lots of character and costume changes, and each special. I think Hughes has been in every production I have been witness to and always fun to watch.

Randy White’s direction is wild and wooly having characters run through the audience which little one’s love and the set by Jaqueline Penrod is far greater than most children’s theater productions do. This set truly makes it easier for the audience to follow. Kurt Ottinger’s sound is great, the lighting (Bridget Williams) is perfect and the props (Nicolas Bartleson) and fight choreography ( Kira Nutter) are right on. Anna’s mom wrote “Anna wouldn’t stop talking about the play when I got home! I think this was her favorite one yet”.

Here is what the kids dad, Drew said about the show and the relationship top the kids:

“”Charlotte’s Web” will continue through June 1st and is available to the public on Saturday and Sundays

Saturday 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Sundays  1 p.m.

For tickets call 773-404-7336

or visit www.yptchi.org

Greenhouse Theater Center is located at 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue

If you park in the garage on Lincoln Avenue, bring your ticket to the theater box office for validation.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at ” Charlotte’s Web”.