CHARLESTOWN, N.H. – River Theater Co. will present a benefit theater production of E.B. White’s classic family favorite “Charlotte’s Web,” adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette, on location at The Fort at No. 4 in Charlestown, N.H., on June 13, June 14, and June 20, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day; and on June 21, at 2 p.m.
This is the fourth production River Theater will have produced at The Fort, following sold-out shows of “A Christmas Carol,” “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and “The Crucible.”
“Each production is unique and offers an immersive experience for the audience. We’re excited to bring a family production in the warmer months this time around,” says director Heidi Fagan. “We’ll start outside the Arable’s house using one of the buildings in The Fort as the background, and then the whole audience will move to ‘Zuckerman’s’ barn, where a whole cast of animals – and one spider – will welcome Wilbur to the farm. Then we’re off to the county fair, and we hope to create a nostalgic feel as the audience moves to that location. Finally, we come back to the outside of the Zuckermans’ barn for the wonderful ending.”
The cast of 28 local actors have started rehearsing at the town hall theater. Rebecca Stewart, who owns Pins and Needles Garment Co. in Charlestown, will be designing the costumes for the production. “I’m excited to work with Rebecca as we come up with a design that suggests the personification of each animal as well as the 1940s vintage look that we hope to bring to the production,” says Fagan. The cast includes Kimberly Rohberon as Charlotte; Alexis Johnson as Wilbur; Arley Kaehler as Fern; Jeff Semprebon as Mr. Arable; Cyndi Stevens as Mrs. Arable; Keira Landers as Avery; Susan Burnett as Edith Zuckerman; Mike Cirre as Homer Zuckerman; Robert Veale as Lurvy; Kayleigh Stevens as Goose; Madeleine Regan as Gander; Jade Mitchell as Templeton; Lily Bishop as Sheep; Rebecca Meeks as Lamb; Janet “Jet” Gage as the announcer; Finley Schofield, Lorelai Putnam, and Ryleigh Smolnik as baby spiders/ensemble; and Elizabeth Blackwell, Luna LeBlanc, Sophia Mann, Olivia Lemieux, Ella Regan, Willa Durrett, Natalie Johnson, and Hannah Landers as ensemble.
The production is a benefit for both nonprofits, The Fort at No. 4 and River Theater Co. Discounted tickets are available for families. Tickets and information can be found on the Fort at No. 4 website, www.fortat4.org. Information can also be found at www.rivertheatercompany.com.