Charlotte’s Web on Stage
If you’ve ever seen a performance by the Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY), you know it’s much more than just a show; it’s an experience. The up-close-and-personal drama, the music, the costumes, the laughs, the joy and excitement in the audience, meeting the cast after the show—it all adds up to an entertaining way to spend an afternoon with the family.
Last weekend, we had the pleasure of seeing Charlotte’s Web, running now through May 11 as the finale of HTY’s “Season of Classics.” The beloved tale (and my absolute favorite book as a child) tells the story of Wilbur the runty pig, Fern the farm girl, and of course, Charlotte the heroic spider. Quite simply, this stage adaptation is a must-see.
The cast performed to a house full of giggles – the kids (and adults alike) were cracking up at Wilbur attempting to spin his own web, Templeton’s antics and goofy honks from the goose. Even the youngest members of the audience remained captivated by the live three-piece string ensemble, the impressive two-story set and the quick-moving story.
This play is suggested for children 5 years old and up, but it offers something for all ages. Older kids will appreciate the story, and the funny farm animals will delight little ones. I saw lots of younger kids in the audience who all did really well, including my own 3-year-old. There’s nothing too scary or loud, and it’s the perfect length at just under an hour, ending just as he started getting squirmy.
I was a little concerned about how my kids would handle the death aspect of it, but the play treats it beautifully. What’s more, the HTY website offers a downloadable study guide as a resource. It’s meant for teachers, but I used it for some ideas on how to talk about the bigger issues like the cycles of life. Ultimately, Charlotte’s Web is a story about friendship, so we spent a lot more time talking about what it means to be a good friend.
After the show, my daughter was so excited to meet the actors and get autographs. She’s still proudly hanging on to her signed program. My son was a little shy, but still loved looking on.
In fact, we all enjoyed it so much I ended up purchasing season tickets for the upcoming 2013 to 2014 season. The way I see it, they’re about the same price as movie tickets, but infinitely better – the drama of live theater makes a movie seem downright boring in comparison. Snap up your tickets now, as these shows are sure to fill up soon.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth. Shows located at Tenney Theatre at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu. Tickets for Charlotte’s Web are still available for April 27, May 4 and May 11, all at 4:30 p.m. Walk-ups are welcome on a space-available basis. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for youth. Infants and toddlers ages 0 to 2 who sit on an adult’s lap are given complimentary tickets. Purchase tickets at www.htyweb.org or call 839-9885.
