CCTC/HJT REVIEW Narnia Comes To CCTC/HJT In Delightful Production

Cape Cod springs remind me a bit of Narnia, a land where winter never ends. This production of C. S. Lewis’s “The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe” dramatized by Joseph Robinette at the Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre this month is timely. 

One day while playing at their new home, Lucy and her siblings discover a magical wardrobe that leads to an enchanted world called Narnia. In this fantasy realm, they learn they are destined to unite with a lion named Aslan to defeat an evil witch and restore Narnia’s peace and harmony. 

The classic tale is loved by many and it’s easy to see why. It’s a story of good conquering evil with the help of innocent, though brave, children in a fantasy land filled with talking animals and mystical creatures. CCTC/HJT’s production doesn’t disappoint. First time director Anthony Teixeira has assembled a talented cast of two dozen to bring the tale to life.

The four children, the “four humans” in an ancient prophecy, are delightful. Peter (Kaya O’Brine), Susan (Rebecca Reyes), Edmund (Sam Bonwit) and Lucy (Gemma McBride) are very convincing and captivating. Sam Sewell as Tumnus, the faun, was spot-on; the opening night audience loved him. The interactions of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver (Shiloh Pabst and Julianne Bonwit) were equally appreciated by the full house. The White Witch (Elizabeth Dunton) and her sidekick the Dwarf (Phoebe Schuessler) worked well together and were somehow both scary and comical. 

Through the magic of live theater, Aslan the Lion was created by Claude Danner, Robin McLaughlin and Seamus Sartin, and brought to life by Katy Taylor and Naimh Dunton, with John O. Fennell’s majestic voice. Children of all ages will be in awe of him. Along with the beavers, the faun, witch and lion there are wolves (Zendon Donoho, Adison Wilde and Brayden Carlson), a chipmunk (Hannah Fitzpatrick), a bunny (Evangeline Bonwit), a raccoon (Piper Taylor), a fox (Noah Darakjy), an elf (Aria Nickerson) and wood nymphs (Finley Smith, Olive DiNubila, Indya Burch, Alma Alcantara) in the production, too. 

Kudos to set designer Calliope Pina Parker for the wardrobe, the surrounding wood-like world of Narnia and the scrim projecting some key scenes; lighting designer Jeremy Baldauf, sound designer Fionn Pina Parker, costume designer Robin McLaughlin and tech director Matt Kohler contribute to the multiple layers of the innovative production. Teixeira and his team (Rachel Walman, stage manager; Xevi Pina Parker, assistant director; and Shiloh Pabst, assistant stage manager) along with the backstage crew (Milo Ramsey, soundboard operator; Oliver Shaw, lightboard operator; and Aiden Langhome) truly create a new and exciting world on the CCTC/HJT stage.  

The show is a little over an hour long with no intermission so it’s easy sit and enjoyable for even the youngest child in your family.  Make it a family outing this April! 

DETAILS:

"The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe" 

At Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre, Division Street, West Harwich

Through April 27, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 7 p.m.; school vacation week performances  Tuesday to Thursday, April 22-24, 2 p.m.; no show Easter Sunday, April 20

Information and reservations: 508-432-2002, www.capecodtheatrecompany.org