Charlotte’s Web @ the Cleveland Play House Children’s Theatre 4/15 If you’re going to do a show about a pig, it helps to have an actor who’s a real ham! Luckily for the production of Charlotte’s Web that just opened at the Cleveland Play House Children’s Theatre, director Mark Alan Gordon found exactly the perfect ham for the role of Wilbur, who’s a newborn piglet—the runt of the litter, no less—when the play opens. Due to the kindness of the others around him, he grows up into a well-balanced, intelligent, kind and caring pig by the end of summer. In fact, he’s so special he wins a gold medal at the county faire, which is ever so much better than just an ordinary blue ribbon!

Of course, it doesn’t hurt any that Fern Arable, the daughter of the farmer to whom Wilbur belongs, falls instantly in love with the little guy. She is able to convince her father to give the pig to her, rather than discard him because he’s so tiny. Farmer Arable loves his daughter enough to grant her wish. She loves—and feeds—Wilbur so well that he quickly outgrows his pen, and is boarded out with Farmer Zuckerman, just down the road a ways.

Here it is that Wilbur meets the spider, Charlotte, and all the rest of the animals that inhabit the farm. The old sheep, for instance, who informs them all that butchering is always done at the end of summer. The Goose and the Gander are busily trying to hatch their own family, but can still lend a helping wing when necessary. Of course, Templeton Rat is always there, too, scurrying about, ever-willing to help empty the slops bucket in search of even more food.

This production features the six candidates in the CWRU/CPH joint professional actors training program. Based on the story by E. B. White, this delightful and colorful dramatization is by Joseph Robinette. Reynard Pope’s set design features a barn with ever-growing spider web capacity. Costumes by James Strunk are versatile and brightly-colored, helping the audience to easily discern animal identities. The lighting of Maureen E. Paterson and sound by James C. Swonger add dimension to the intimate space of Studio One. Director Mark Alan Gordon keeps the acting sprightly while using every bit of the space.

Four of the six actors play multiple parts. Elizabeth A. Davis is an endearing Fern, who also plays the violin, and is also a gabby Goose, a spectator and a judge at the faire. Joshua John McKay is Avery, Homer, and the baleful sheep, plus a spectator and judge. Jason Miller is a very rustic Arable, Templeton (humorously channeling Paul Lynde) and Lurvy. Bailey Varness is a dandy Gander, reporter Carter, Aunt and the officious President of the Faire.

Nicole Fitzpatrick imbues Charlotte with just the right amount of decreasing energy as she busily spins words each night to save Wilbur. She’s a very no-nonsense sort of spider: this is what needs to be done, so we’ll just do it! She’d be proud of how well Wilbur cares for her egg sac, containing as it does her 514 babies!

And Wilbur? Lelund Durond Thompson is a very believable and charming young pig, who is on-stage nearly every second of the play. He ages from a newborn to a savvy young porker very convincingly and athletically, too.

When Charlotte’s babies hatch, the empty shell contains the letters of one final word—KINDNESS. The actors bring children down on stage to help them hang the final word on Charlotte’s Web. It’s a word we should all remember—and demonstrate.

Charlotte’s Web (suitable for any age) continues in the Studio One Theatre, at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Sunday, May 7. $16. Visit the web-site at: http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com or call the ticket office at (216) 795-7000. Group rates are available; call (216) 795-7000, ext. 149.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net (:divend:)