By Maya Barbon
I was so excited as I walked into the beautiful Portland Center for Performing Arts to seeCharlotte’s Web. I read the book by E. B. White when I was younger and couldn’t wait to see how Oregon Children’s Theater brought it to the stage. In the lobby, there was a fun activity for kids and parents. Note cards were set out with the question “What makes someone a good friend?”. Once answered, the cards were hung on a big spider web in the center. Inside the program there were more fun activities, including discussion questions, information about E. B. White, and fun puzzles to solve.
When the play begins, we first meet the narrator, who takes us through the story and introduces us to a lovable baby pig named Wilbur. We are then introduced to Fern Arable, her brother Avery, and her parents. There’s a wonderful connection between Fern and Wilbur. Such a strong sense of love and friendship is seen between them right away. Wilbur is taken to live on Fern’s Uncle Homer’s farm. From there, we meet more farm animals, including a kind spider named Charlotte. We are then taken on the rest of Wilbur’s adventures with his friends. The show brings us along as Wilbur avoids being turned into ham with the help of Charlotte and the words she spins in her web. These words even bring Wilbur (and the audience) to the County Fair, where you’ll root for Wilbur and the Zuckermans in hopes they will win a blue ribbon.
Charlotte, played by the very talented Claire Aldridge, literally flies through the air. In fact, we first meet her as she drops down from the ceiling. Throughout the show, Charlotte climbs and spins her web with beautiful aerial acrobatics. She wraps and suspends herself with many fun tricks, while spelling out the iconic “some pig”, “terrific”, “radiant” and humble”.
The sets, while modest, transport us to the different farms and even to the Fair, complete with hay and twinkling lights. And the costumes are wonderful, changing the actors from their human characters to the friendly farm animals. I especially liked the steampunk look to Templeton the rat, and the large golden wings on the Goose and Gander. To go along with the wonderful costumes, each of the farm animals had a very distinct and funny character. The geese were hilarious, with their funny sounds and movements. The sheep and lamb were also fun to watch, with entertaining voices and attitudes toward Wilbur. Templeton was the perfect mix of obnoxious and lovable. While he seems selfish at first, you come to love him as he helps out Charlotte and Wilbur. And Wilbur was absolutely wonderful. He was so lovable and fun, you couldn’t help rooting for him from the very beginning. Jonathan Pen, who played Wilbur, took this amusing character and really showed us “some pig”.
Charlotte’s Web was a great show for kids (and parents) of all ages. It shows us the beauty of family and friendship. Everyone in the cast is immensely talented, each with a fabulously fun character that will leave you walking out of the theater with a smile on your face. This show is truly “radiant” and “terrific”. I strongly recommend it.
Note: Strobe lights are used in the performance, and there is no intermission.
Maya Barbon is a 15 year old drama geek who loves all things theatre. She’s been seeing and performing in shows for as long as she can remember. She also loves singing, dancing, reading and listening to music.
