Flat Rock Playhouse Will Present CHARLOTTE'S WEB

Charlotte's Web will be the first Studio 52 production of the 2020 season, and Flat Rock Playhouse is proud to bring this family favorite back to the stage March 13th through the 28th.

Charlotte's Web is the first show of the 2020 Studio 52 Family Series. Wilbur, an irresistible young pig, who desperately wants to avoid becoming "pork chops," meets an extraordinary spider who proves to be "a true friend and a good writer." Based on E.B. White's classic American children's book, this treasured tale of endearing farm animals and the people who surround them explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. Featuring a cast of local students and parents, Charlotte's Web is a charming production fit for the whole family.

"With Charlotte's Web, we are doing what all artists work to do: find the heart of the story and tell it using our various gifts and tools. More specifically, I think the choices we've made with music, both live and recorded, exemplify that heart," remarks Charlotte's Web director, Claire Simpson. "Working with young cast members is about teaching just as much as it is directing. Helping a young actor develop a process takes time--so we try to allot Character Work sessions at least twice a week. It's a delightful experience because our young people arrive excited to grow as actors."

Charlotte's Web features a cast of 48 students and parents! Fern Arable will be played by Emersyn Massaro with John Arable, Martha Arable, and Avery Arable being played by Ashby Knox, Rebekah Byrd, and Xavier Cacanindin, respectively. David Flowers and Connie Bergman will be performing the roles of Homer and Edith Zuckerman with Luke Bridges as Lurvy.

Mae Hodge will be playing Wilbur with Cyrus Hardin as Templeton and Cassidy Bowen as Charlotte. Alternating the roles of Goose, Gander, Sheep, and Lamb are Campbell Hodge and Chloe Byrd, Calvin Hockenberry and Asher Holberg, Abigail Byrd and Lindsay Hall, and Colbie Corn and Emme Tilden. Playing the Goslings (listed alphabetically) are: Lucy Dennis, Eliza Henry, Josie Holloway, James Nudd, Alicia Riddle, Raven Sweeney, and William Tokar.

The Storytellers will be played by Clare Kelsch, Alayna Anderson, and Grey Bateman along with Ava Treadway, Carly Corn, Ellery Cheek, Alex Nudd, and Ella Tokar as Storytellers and Musicians. Alex Nudd also serves as Musical Mentor. The members of the ensemble (listed alphabetically) are Adah Beasley, Ellie Beasley, Parker Beasley, Laci Harris, Amelia Hodge, Hattie Hodge, Jamie Johns, Henry Knox, Kaelee Rushing, Tacy Stage, Grey Tilden, Lyla Tokar, Gage Ward, Natalie Ward, and Isabella Wood.

Claire Simpson, North Carolina native and longtime Flat Rock Playhouse Vagabond, will direct Charlotte's Web. After beginning her theater career at Flat Rock Playhouse as a scenic artist, she then spent six years within the Education Department at Florida Repertory Theatre--during the last year of which, she spearheaded the program as the Education Director. While there, Claire directed over twenty productions both for and with young people. Favorite productions include All Shook Up- Young Broadway, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and The Mark Twain Storybook. She carried this love of storytelling for young people into the Theatre for Youth MFA program at UNC-Greensboro. In addition to directorial work (Pippi Longstocking, Dani Girl), Claire also interned with Chapel Hill's Paperhand Puppet Intervention--building puppets, masks, and scenery for the company's annual production. Flat Rock Playhouse looks forward to having Simpson back on the "Rock".

Joining Claire on the production team is Merit Glover as Stage Manager along with Riley Hewitt as Student Stage Manager. Production Manager Adam Goodrum will work with Scenic Designer and Flat Rock Playhouse Technical Director Chris Simpson, Resident Lighting Designer CJ Barnwell, Resident Costume Designer Ashli Arnold Crump, and Resident Sound Designer David Gerena. Flat Rock Playhouse Props Master Cassidy Bowles will design the properties.

Charlotte's Web is brought to you in part by Studio 52 Family Series Sponsor Advent Health, Opening Night Sponsor Rug & Home, Media Sponsor WTZQ, Hearing Loop Sponsor Asheville Ear Nose & Throat, and Executive Producers Kimberly-Clark and Lafawnduh of Flowers by Larry.

TICKETS AND SCHEDULE

Charlotte's Web runs March 13th - 28th at Flat Rock Playhouse Leiman Mainstage. Performances are Friday at 7:00 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM, and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-737-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

Flat Rock Playhouse Leiman Mainstage is located at 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731.