By Jennifer Andelin
The Utah Children’s Theatre production of The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe in South Salt Lake offers an opportunity for children to see forgiveness in tough situations while reminding adults that forgiveness makes for happier endings. Children are naturally more forgiving than adults. Perhaps this is because the longer we live, the more we have to forgive.
The play is based on the children’s book of the same name, written by C.S. Lewis. The book is part of the larger Chronicles of Narnia series that comprises seven fantasy novels. Lewis dedicated The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe to his goddaughter, Lucy Barfield, whose name is used for the book’s protagonist Lucy Pevensie.
The play opens with the Professor (Craig Pickup) who reads a dedication that C.S. Lewis wrote to Barfield in the book. This reading perfectly sets the scene, reminding the audience that the story we are about to see is applicable to children and adults alike. We are briefly introduced to Mrs. Macready played by Meighan Smith. Her projection and exaggerated accent quickly capture the audience’s attention. Smith is multi-talented as she also does the production’s hair and makeup. Her attention to detail and contrast helps the performers’ faces to easily stand out and the audience to suspend their disbelief that the animals and fantastical creatures aren’t actually people.
Along with Macready, we are introduced to the Pevensie children: Peter (Seth Jones), Susan (Maggie Lea), Edmund (Wyatt Cernyar), and Lucy (Helene Parker). We readily see that the Pevensie children are wont to bicker with one another as siblings do. Jones commands his role as the eldest brother while Lea maintain’s a mature, dignified, and responsible air for Susan. Cernyar does an excellent job as Edmund, fighting effortlessly with his siblings and creating the perfect persona that makes you simultaneously frustrated with and sympathetic of him. Parker is perfectly optimistic in her role as Lucy. I often forgot that I was watching a theatrical version of the story as these children fell into their roles much like their movie counterparts.
Sibling rivalries continue with real-life siblings Brooke Wilkins as the White Witch and her brother Brinton Wilkins as Aslan. These characters respectively represent evil and good, which makes for a great interplay between the siblings. The White Witch has ice blue eyes and albino skin with blue veins. Her poise and projection on stage commands the audience. One of my sons clung to me every time she or Fenris Ulf (Tennessee Tarrant) spoke. Fenris Ulf is ferocious and bloodthirsty created by the volume and fierceness with which he speaks his lines. The suspense is thick when the White Witch and Fenris Ulf are on stage, enough to make one of my sons close his eyes for almost an entire scene.
Brinton Wilkins’ performance as Aslan is like a lion: powerful, deep, and impressive. The audience respected Aslan for his strength as well as for his compassion. There is a lot of applause each time Aslan roars.
The battle of good and evil would be overwhelming at times for such a young audience if it were not for the comic relief of Mr. Beaver (Christopher Taylor) and Mrs. Beaver (Ashley Breitenstein). They are on top of their lines, quick to diffuse heavy scenes, and make the audience laugh with their exaggerated expressions and movements.
Other important but minor characters are Mr. Tumnus (Cole Lawson) and Father Christmas (Steve Hedman). Lawson balances well on his faun hoofs while Hedman brings the holiday spirit to the play.
Director Joanne M. Parker does a wonderful job directing a large cast in presenting a classic story. The movement where each character is at any given time allows the focus to be where it needs to be while creating a space for the audience to feel immersed in the action. Costume Designer Julie Anderson creates resplendent costumes that transport us to Narnia while Set/Light Designer James B. Parker makes the battle between good and evil palpable. My oldest son and I were startled when the White Witch turned a dwarf into stone. We felt the blast of cold air as the smoke surrounded him. I also liked the use of a sheer, black curtain that surrounds the set, making the sacrifice and battle scenes more ominous and somber.
As Lewis wrote, “Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.” Utah Children’s Theatre’s The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe gives us brave heroes and heroines who show us that one of the greatest courageous acts is that of forgiveness.
The play is appropriate for families, but Utah Children’s Theatre gives the following caveats which do include spoilers:
Intensity
The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe features some intense dramatic moments as well as dark fantasy characters. Parents of very young children are encouraged to review the story. In addition, loud sound effect, strobe lights, and stage atmospheric smoke effects are used.
The White Witch and her followers can be frightening and intense. Fenris Ulf is a wolf-like character that is very intense and in Act Two chases Susan, but is killed by Peter’s sword. Aslan sacrifices himself on the Stone Table. He is tied down by the Witch’s minions and is killed by the White Witch with a dagger. Death is represented through a war scene. The White Witch is killed by Aslan.
Utah Children’s Theatre presents The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis
Utah Children’s Theatre, 3605 South State Street, South Salt Lake, UT 84115
Dec 1, 2018-Jan 5, 2019 Friday 7:00 PM, Saturday 1:00 PM, 4:30 PM
Tickets: $16
Contact: 801-532-6000, boxoffice@uctheatre.org
Utah Children’s Theatre website
Utah Children’s Theatre Facebook page
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