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Chicago theater veteran Ann Filmer, founder of Estrogen Fest and former producing director of Chicago Dramatists, will direct Emerald City's production of Charlotte's Web. Emerald City's choreographer for Charlotte's Web is Lauren Hirte, who won raves as "Alice" in Lookingglass Alice and is a member of The Actors Gymnasium.
Emerald City's Charlotte's Web, adapted from E.B. White's timeless children's book by Joseph Robinette, promises to be a great new way to experience the popular story of a naive pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a small grey spider named Charlotte. Wilbur is scared as the fall season nears, because he knows he might end up on the dinner table. So he hatches a plan with Charlotte, a smart and kind spider who lives above his pen, to make sure that never happens. Families will laugh, learn and never forget this treasured tale, which explores important lessons of bravery, selfless love and the true meaning of friendship.
Featuring funny and engaging farm animals, exciting musical numbers, breathtaking acrobatics, amazing costumes, and a colorful barnyard set, Charlotte's Web is just the kind of show to engender a love for live theater for years to come. Plus, Emerald City's live theatrical version is a must-see precursor to the new motion picture remake hitting movie theaters next June, starring Dakota Fanning, Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Redford, John Cleese and Steve Buscemi.
The production is best suited for ages 5 and up. All children receive a kid-sized program designed just for them and are invited to meet the actors after the show. All performances are 60 minutes.
Emerald City Theatre Company, celebrating 10 years of family theater in 2005/06, performs at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Avenue, in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Founded in 1996, Emerald City Theatre is Chicago's only theater company solely dedicated to producing live theater aimed at the entire family. Named Chicago's best theater for children by Where Chicago Magazine, Emerald City's mission is to provide families with an affordable, accessible and magical theater experience. All Emerald City productions feature professional directors, actors, writers and designers focused on delivering a theater experience the entire family can enjoy. It's for these reasons countless Chicago-area families have had their child's first live theater experience with Emerald City and come back again and again.
Emerald City's cast for Charlotte's Web features Aaron Caponigro (Avery), Michael Detering (Mr. Arable/sheep), Noah Durham (Wilbur), Michael Gonring (Templeton), Errol McLendon (Homer), Betsy McKnight (Mrs. Arable/goose), Mary Nigohosian (Charlotte), Teresa Scalise (Fern) and Heather Winter (Edith). Designers include Susan Kaip, set; Sandy Lazar, costumes; Alana Parvey, props; Barry Bennett, sound; and Keith Parham, lights. Purvi Patel is stage manager.