Theatre Arts Presents Charlotte's Web in November

Event Date

Fri, Nov 11 - Sun, Nov 20, 2016, All day

HFC's Theatre Arts will present the stage adaptation of E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” for eight public performances.

HFC will present “Charlotte’s Web” in the Adray Auditorium, located in the Grant U. MacKenzie Fine Arts Center (Building F) on the following dates:

Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m.;
Saturday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.;
Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m.;
Friday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.;
Saturday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and
Sunday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m.

Published in 1952, “Charlotte’s Web” is a beloved, award-winning children’s novel and considered one of White’s finest bodies of work. The story centers around a young piglet named Wilbur, the runt of his litter. A little girl named Fern Arable convinces her father not to slaughter Wilbur for food. Fern then nurtures Wilbur. Once he grows up, Wilbur goes to the farm owned by Homer Zuckerman, Fern’s uncle.

There, he befriends a barn spider named Charlotte and a rat named Templeton. Wilbur is scared when he learns he’s going to be slaughtered, but Charlotte concocts a plan to save his life. She weaves words of praise into her web for everyone to see, attracting publicity for Wilbur. More inscriptions appear in her web over time, increasing Wilbur’s popularity. Thanks to Charlotte’s efforts, Wilbur is eventually spared from the slaughterhouse. However, Charlotte dies soon thereafter but three of her newborn children – and later their children and then more generations of spiders – keep Wilbur company for the rest of his days.

“Charlotte’s Web” has been adapted into other media, including Joseph Robinette’s stage play. A cartoon adaptation was released in 1973 with Debbie Reynolds (“Singin’ in the Rain”) as Charlotte. In 2006, a live-action/computer-animated adaptation was released. In it, Dakota Fanning (“The Twilight Saga”) plays Fern; Oscar winner Julia Roberts (“Pretty Woman”) voices Charlotte; Dominic Scott Kay (“Minority Report”) voices Wilbur; Steve Buscemi (“Reservoir Dogs”) voices Templeton; and Oscar winner Robert Redford (“Ordinary People”) voices Ike the horse, among many others in an ensemble cast.

One feature that will make HFC’s production of “Charlotte’s Web” unique is HFC music instructor Anthony Lai composed an original score specifically for this play, according to Gerard Dzuiblinski, HFC theater instructor/“Charlotte’s Web” director.

“It is a phenomenal score. I’m very impressed,” said Dzuiblinski.

Since the majority of the characters in “Charlotte’s Web” are animals, many of the actors will be dressed up as animals, Dzuiblinski explained.

“This delightful tale is perfect for families,” he said.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. For questions and/or further information about “Charlotte’s Web,” contact Dzuiblinski at 313-845-9817 or gadzuiblinski@hfcc.edu.

Written by: E.B. White
Adapted by: Joseph Robinette
Directed by: Gerry Dzuiblinski

Cast and Crew

SCENES
Scene One: The Arable Farm
Scene Two: The Zuckerman Farm
Scene Three: The County Farm
Scene Four: The Zuckerman Farm

CAST
Narrator: Angela Lai
Wilbur, The Pig: Dakota Nuttall
Fern Arable, a young girl: Frankie Nelson Pawlik
Martha Arable, her mother: Joana Aldrich
John Arable, her father: Salem Akra
Avery Arable, her brother: Calum Carscadden
Homer Zuckerman, her Uncle: Alex Jafaar
Edith Zuckerman, her aunt: Brittany Goodman
Lurvy, the Zuckerman’s farmhand: Hani Beydoun, Jim Piche
Charlotte, the Spider: Natasha Hawkins
Templeton, the rat: Demi Signori
The Sheep: Kahrah Noel
The Goose: Margaret Carscadden
Uncle Pig: Mike Ross
Fairground Announcer: Angela Lai, Gerard Dzublinski
Spectators: Mike Ross, John Evans
Fairgoers: Mike Ross, John Evans
Judge: Mike Ross
Reporter: Angie Lai, Gerard Dzublinski
Baby Spiders: Margaret Carscadden, Calum Carscadden

SOCIAL SCIENCE, ARTS and FITNESS DIVISION
Associate Dean: Cynthia Stiller
Academic Coordinators: Carol Sloan, Randall Knight
Administrative Assistants: Tom Berryman, Linda Prisza
Director of Theatre: Dr. George Popovich

ARTISTIC STAFF
Director: Gerard Dzublinski
Scenic Designer: Gerard Dzublinski
Lighting Designer: David Koltunchik
Costume Designer: Judith Fletcher
Sound Designer: Gerard Dzublinski
Properties Designers: Steven Ruth, Gerard Dzublinski
Composer: Anthony Lai
Makeup Designers: Brittany Goodman, Judith Fletcher, Gerard Dzublinski
Study Guide: Angela Lai

PRODUCTION STAFF
Stage Manager: Hani Beydoun
Assistant Stage Manager: Malak Hazime
Technical Director: Gerard Dzublinski
Sound Engineers: Alan Contino, David Koltunchik
Master Carpenter: Christopher Bremer
Carpenters: Angie Lai, Darren Marchant, Steven Ruth, Salem Akra, Laniece Cole, David Koltunchik, Janae Garner, Leshia Walker, Mike Ross, Alexis Simmons, William Underwood
Scenic Artist: Gerard Dzublisnki
Master Electrician: David Koltuncik
Electricians: Steven Ruth, Laniece Cole
Props: Steven Ruth, Laniece Cole
Costume Crew: Frankie Nelson Pawlik, Alex Jafaar, Demi Signori
Poster and Program Design: Ashleigh Martin
Printing: HFC Graphics
Publicity: Dr. George Popovich, Gary Erwin, Michael Cochran, The Cast and Crew, HFC Graphics, Angie Lai
Program Layout: Ashleigh Martin
Electronic Box Office: Dr. George Popovich
Paint Crew: Angie Lai, Mike Ross, Darren Marchant, Janae Garner, Salem Akra, Steven Ruth, Laniece Cole, Alexis Simmons, Leshia Walker, William Underwood

RUNNING CREW
Deck Captains: Malak Hazime
Sound Board Operators: Steven Ruth, Laniece Cole
Light Board Operators: David Koltunchik, Steven Ruth
Props: Joana Aldrich

BOX OFFICE
House Managers: Chris Bremer, David Koltunchik, Gerard Dzublinski
Box Office Manager: Chris Bremer, Gerard Dzublinski
Ushers: HFC Theatre Volunteers

Special Thanks to: Mary Musinski for the design and construction of Wilbur, Charlotte, Templeton, and sheep costumes.