Bound for Narnia: C.S. Lewis classic on Whitefish stage
<p>Griffin Ziegert as Mr Tumnus rehearses a scene from the upcoming Whitefish Theatre Company production of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." (Brenda Ahearn/This Week in the Flathead)</p>
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” director Rebecca Spear said the Whitefish Theatre Company presentation of the C.S. Lewis children’s book is pure “classic.”
“It’s so beautiful,” she said of the show. “My inspiration is all about having a classic storybook look to it and we’re also projecting original illustrations from the book.
“We have a classic storybook look with the lighting and the costumes and the set. It’s coming together so nicely.”
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” featuring a cast of 28 children from throughout the Flathead Valley, opens tonight with a sneak preview night at 7:30 p.m. at the O'Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Performances continue Feb. 28 and March 1, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are March 2 and 9 at 4 p.m.
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” written by Lewis in 1950, has been a favorite of children and adults for decades. The adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia are faithfully recreated, along with the benevolence and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, and his struggle with the White Witch.
Spear is back with Whitefish Theatre Company for this show after directing last season's “Seussical” and “Charlotte's Web.” She said 91 children ended up auditioning for “The Lion,” and all of the actors chosen were ages 7 to 13.
“There are so many talented kids here, it’s really inspiring to work with them,” she said.
Spear has a history of high-level acting, working in professional regional theater and national tours, including a national tour of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” a show that also has been part of her Alpine Theatre Project resume.
Spear may be familiar to local audiences from other Alpine Theatre shows, including “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Godspell,” “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” and more.
She loves the shift to directing, and appreciates the big commitment the children have made to participate in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
“Especially for the little ones, for those who are 7 years old to be at rehearsal until 9:30 at night,” she said. “It’s worth it, I think they are all having a good time. I can’t wait for them to have an audience. This is going to be so exciting.”
The sneak preview today is $10 with general seating and tickets available only at the door. Tickets for other performances are $15 for adults and $8 for students with reserved seating.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office at 1 Central Ave. in Whitefish or by calling 862-5371. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org.