Once again I was faced with the question: “How are they going to pull this off?” I mean a two person cast with easily a dozen significant characters in the original text – somethings gotta give! Well it’s an easily overcome dilemma when your cast includes Audrey Bertaux as Lucy (et al) and Chris Dinolfo as Peter (et al). In the first children’s production directed by Tom Story, Bertaux and Dinolfo are pure magic. As evidence of their believability – some twenty audience members under the age of 10 were howling with laughter, shrieking with fear, and striking poses on cue with little more than a suggestion from the cast.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Bobbitt and Managing Director Lauren Hines, all of this magic was artfully augmented by the supernaturally talented production team of Movement Director Elena Day, Costume Designer Tyler Gunther, Scenic Designer Luciana Stecconi, Scenic Lighting Designer Sarah Tunderman, Sound Designer Kenny Neal, Properties Designer Andrea Moore, and the stage management team of April Carter and Cody Whitfield.
I mention them all for the simple fact that every moment of this fantasy combined elements of their collectively intricate and perfectly synchronized talents.
As examples, I give you the umbrella swinging sword fights with flashes of lightning and the clang of steel all while traversing an intricate mountainside landscape in the snow! Galloping in on her chariot, the White Witch offers “Turkish Delight” treats to always hungry brother Edmund to sway his allegiance. As the treats appeared and disappeared and flew through the air every eye in the house followed their flight path. There was a tremendous gust of wind which nearly blew me out of my seat – which never actually happened at all! And I suggest you keep an eye out for the Beaver whose poor tail seems to always be underfoot.
As storytelling goes – this one is at the top of the list and the entire team at ATMTC will amaze and delight everyone who listens. With nearly forty available performances you must find time to share this adventure with the young and young at heart in your life.
Adventure Theatre’s entertaining The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the perfect holiday treat for every member of your family!
Running Time: 50 minutes, with no intermission.
Adventure Theatre’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe plays through Saturday, December 31, 2016, at Adventure Theatre – 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, in Glen Echo Park, in Glen Echo, MD. For tickets, call the box office at (301) 634-2270, or purchase them online.
RATING: 
