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"We had about 40 kids show up to the first one with their parents," Farrington said. "It was a great experience for the children as well as for ourselves."
Based on the book by E.B. White, the play has been adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette and will be directed by Jill Luberto. First published in 1952, the novel tells the story of a pig named Wilber who is saved from being slaughtered by an intelligent spider named Charlotte. The unusual friendship is what makes the classic tale such a treat for children as well as adults.
The Story and Fun Hour will introduce children to the classic tale before the actual performance. A short book based on the story and meeting some of the cast members of the show should make the performance that much more interesting for the kids.
"We have a number of activities and games including a playground game with a theatre-spin to it," Farrington said. "The main characters of the play will be running the games with a barnyard theme all of which ties in with Charlotte's Web."
Part of the fun of the monthly events is having the children act out different parts in the play.
"We encourage the children to come dressed in costume so they can really feel like they're part of it," Farrington said.
The Children's Literature Association named Charlotte's Web "the best American children's book in the last two hundred years."
"It may sound like a cliché but I believe it has something for everyone," Farrington said. "It's a great story of friendship that kids can relate to and they certainly love the talking animals, as well."
The underlying theme of sacrifice is a way of teaching lessons to the children without them actually being aware of it.
Part of the mission of the NCTC is to offer prospective students creative programs in the form of theatre and music classes. Farrington says the Story and Fun Hour is the perfect introduction to those events.
"We have new classes starting in January and these Story Hours allow people to come to the theatre to see what we're all about without necessarily committing to anything," he said. "We don't believe in any hard-sell, we just want to show the children the classes we offer and we leave it up to them."
Charlotte's Web premieres Dec. 4, 5 and 6 at the Newington Children's Theatre Company, 743 North Mountain Road, Newington. Ticket information is available on the Web site.
The Story and Fun Hour is an event for children between the ages of 3 to 8 years. Cameras are permitted at the events. Admission for children age 8 and under is $3. All others will be admitted free of charge with a child. Parents must accompany the children. Space is limited, so please call the theatre at (860) 666-6282 or visit www.nctcarts.org.
CENTER STAGE is a weekly feature aimed at the offbeat, artistic and community minded people and projects in and around West Hartford. CENTER STAGE suggestions and comments should be e-mailed to semirzian@snet.net or westhartfordnews@ctcentral.com.
