Reviews
Charlotte's Web Review
- Category: Reviews
- 30 May 2011
- Published Date
- Annelise Murphy
Mickey and I took the kids to go and see Charlotte's Web at Draper Historic Theatre. Charlotte's Web is one of Madeleine's favorite books. It was such a joy to watch both of my kids (ages 7 and 8) as they were enraptured by the action onstage. The set was fun and utilized well and the costumes were also tasteful and did their job. There were definite differing levels of acting experience on stage but no one looked completely out of place. It was definitely a show geared for younger children. The faults that I found with the show weren't the fault of the actors or director. Whomever "orchestrated" the music didn't do a good job. It might have been the composer, Charles Strouse, or someone he hired to do it but in either case, Charlotte's Web could do a lot better if the music was better. Also, whoever put together the recorded score had horrible samples and it was a very synthesized midi...very bad. I hope DHT didn't have to pay much for the rental of the score because if they did...they got ripped off. I am VERY lucky to have composers that use good samples and live instrument recordings when possible. The tunes weren't memorable or interesting to listen to...but the actors did the best with them that they could. They had high energy and their facial expressions conveyed the happy go lucky attitude of a small town farming community.
Maddie's favorite part was when the Rat, Templeton (played by Erik Nielson) came out during intermission while drinking a drink and told us to go get our own. It made me think of two things...one, that Maddie is used to the actors talking directly to the audience and two...that when the director or actor (don't know whose idea it was) was able to "come up" with her own stuff that it was better than any of the lines in the script. Of course, I really enjoy coming up with my own stuff and LOVE that I am not trapped by the words of others...so...there ya go.
Ivy told me that every single part was awesome...of course, she says this about everything...but it just goes to show go that you can't go wrong when targeting kids...except kids don't buy the admission. Ah rats...
It was really fun to see an old high school friend of mine, Becky Davis (Becky Fail when I knew her), play the part of Charlotte. She did a great job and I told her she better come audition for me. Her voice is wonderful and I have NO idea why she didn't audition for Madrigals in High School? Maddie Sueltz was fun as Wilbur but it confused my Maddie as to why Wilbur was a girl. I told her that boys aren't as good as girls and she accepted that.
Overall, it was fun to see a cute little show about a cute littlw pig and more importantly to do it with my family.
