Published: October 22, 2009 09:43 pm      

Maryland Theatre Arts Company visits Narnia

Troupe staging ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’

CUMBERLAND — The Maryland Theatre Arts Company will be performing the C.S. Lewis’ classic tale of adventure in Narnia, “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” at the Cumberland Theatre, 101 Johnson St., Nov. 5-8. The shows will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The award-winning adaptation by Joseph Robinette recreates Lewis’ wonderful world of adventure in a heroic tale of faith, courage and sacrifice culminating in the ultimate triumph of good over evil that has enthralled audiences of all ages for decades.

The show stars Jack Riley as Peter, Claire Romaine as Susan, Will DiNola as Edmund and Sierra Golden as Lucy, the four children who venture into an old wardrobe and end up as kings and queens in the magical land of Narnia. Whitney Walker portrays the White Witch, the evil queen that has cast her spell on the land, and Monzel Smith is Aslan, the lion who is the true ruler of Narnia. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, played by Emily Miner and Jessica Carls, Tumnus, played by Michael Mudge, and Father Christmas, played by Randy Swauger, all help the children in their adventure while Ethan Romaine as the wolf, Fenris Ulf who is the captain of the Witch’s guard, and Ben Benson as the dwarf, fight against the children along the way.

Cecilia Rossi, Lucy Honeycutt, Chloe Keech, Hayden Honeycutt, Stanley Cosner, Isaac Houser and Timmy Growden round out the collection of mystical creatures. Members of the large chorus play the forest animals, members of Aslan’s army and the witch’s soldiers.

The Maryland Theatre Arts Company is a non-profit organization dedicated to instilling in children a love and appreciation of theater that will last a lifetime and to giving children and young people the chance to experience the dramatic arts for themselves, both by participating in and viewing theatrical productions especially for children and families.

MTA uses all children who wish to participate, double casting roles when necessary to give everyone an opportunity to get into a show. During this production, MTA will be collecting Christmas gifts for an orphanage in Madagascar. Items have been donated for the orphans by the cast members, and there will also be a box in the lobby for donations from audience members who wish to help. All donations of toys, clothing, toiletries, school supplies, shoes and yarn will be forwarded to the orphanage for the holidays.

To make reservations or for more information, contact Joyce Conley at (304) 298-3408. This production is sponsored in part by a grant from the Allegany Arts Council and through special permission with Dramatic Publishing, Inc.