Tribune Staff Reports
Jackson County Community Theatre’s December show this year is “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
The show will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Royal Off-the-Square Theatre, 121 W. Walnut St., Brownstown.
This is a new dramatization by Joseph Robinette of the well-known story by C.S. Lewis. Following the tradition of recent December productions, JCCT selected a show with a family appeal both for audiences and actors. The show has adult and youth actors in appropriate parts. and a number of them are enjoying this adventure as a family.
This is a show for all audiences. The Lewis classic, set in the land of Narnia, faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion; his struggle with the White Witch; and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia.
The intense action features chases, duels and escapes as the witch is determined to keep Narnia in her possession and to end the reign of Aslan.
Lewis was a British writer and lay theologian. He held academic positions in English literature at Oxford and Cambridge universities. He was the author of several theological works but is most famous for his works of fiction.
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” first published in 1950, is the first and best known of Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Since 1989, there have been a number of versions onstage, one of which opened on Broadway in 2011.
Cast members include Evan Rohlfing as Aslan, Stacey Williams as the White Witch, Emily Keller as Lucy, Sullivan Dick as Edmund, Therese Hauersperger as Susan, John Ortman as Peter, Landon Whitson as Mr. Beaver, Theresa Redicker as Mrs. Beaver, Erin Nelson as Unicorn, Gavin Jaynes as Centaur, Max Maschino as Tumnus, Evan Cave as Fenris Ulf, Dayton Smith as Dwarf, Jordan McKinley as Father Christmas and Ava Gerth as Elf.
Aslan’s followers are Destiny Long, Willow Nowland, Bailey Nowland, Esther Cave, Evelyn Cave, Elizabeth Cave and Isabella Campbell. The Witch’s Army members are Mason Williams and Kameron Williams.
Kathy Nelson is director, Paul Keller is assistant director, Erin Ortman is production manager, Megan Keller is artistic director, Clare Hauersperger is stage manager and Cari Hauersperger is costumer. The set is being constructed by Joe Bradley and Joe Reynolds, and lighting design is by Joel McGill.
Tickets are on sale at Family Drug in Brownstown and Artistic Impressions in Seymour, online at jcct.org or by calling 812-358-5228.
The JCCT season is supported by a grant from the arts partnership of Columbus Area Arts Council, Indiana Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts. JCCT also receives significant support from the Community Foundation of Jackson County and Jackson County Visitor Center.