The Columbus-based Master’s Theatre will present “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10 and 11 at Rent Auditorium on the Mississippi University for Women campus.
The story dramatized by Tony Award nominee Joseph Robinette from the original work by C.S. Lewis 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 land of Narnia. Terri Gillis directs the production featuring more than 75 performers, extras, crew members and technicians.
The Master’s Theatre, in association with Columbus Christian Academy, joins with the Prairie Oaks Christian School of Dance, directed by Leigh Murphree, to present this tale in which forgiveness and sacrifice are exalted above selfishness. Forty dancers complement the dramatic cast of 25 people which range in age from 6 to 40.
“Here is the heroic tale of Narnia and the grandeur of the triumph of good over evil,” Gillis said. “For the first time, we are combining two art forms — a full-length play interwoven with beautiful dance.”
Memorable episodes from the story and movie recreate chases, duels and escapes as the White Witch strives to keep Narnia in her possession and end the reign of Aslan.
Paul Bennett portrays the powerful Aslan, a wise, compassionate figure. C.S. Lewis described Aslan as an alternative version of Christ, as a form in which Christ might have appeared in a fantasy world.
Bennett is youth minister at the Columbus Church of Christ and has been involved in previous productions with Gillis. His 13-year-old daughter, Susan, is also in the cast.
“I got into it because I wanted my children to have an experience in acting,” said Bennett, who grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. Several youth group members of his church are involved in the production as well.
“It’s been a way to grow closer and to break down some of the uncomfortable boundaries some of us have when getting up in front of other people,” he remarked.
Getting into animal character
Thomas Parsons portrays Fenris Ulf, an evil wolf who acts as chief of the White Witch’s secret police. The 2014 MUW Theatre graduate brings his training to the role.
“To play an animal, you study that animal … on the Internet and through books … you observe how that animal moves and let your body translate as you’re watching, discovering for yourself the movements.” The transformation to animal character should take place from head-to-toe, Parsons said — in how an actor stands, how he holds the arms, through facial features.
Bennett agreed that the play with only four human characters is unique in that actors are putting some human characteristics into animals, and vice versa.
“Terri right away suggested we spend time watching YouTube, watching the animals we portray,” he said.
Parsons also choreographed dramatic fight scenes, drawing on past classes in Stage Combat at The W as well as his professional theater work in Ohio in productions of “Tecumseh!”
He has encouraged fellow actors to “give a part of your soul into your character and into your performance, because that’s what acting is.”
It’s something Bennett takes seriously.
“One of the things really neat for me is that Aslan is really a reflection of Jesus Christ, and since I work in ministry with teens, it’s definitely challenging because you don’t want to portray God or Jesus in a light that’s inconsistent with what the Bible tells us. It’s an honor … ”
How to go
Performances at Rent Auditorium are Tuesday, May 10, at 9:30 a.m. and at 6:30 p.m., and Wednesday, May 11, at 6:30 p.m. Admission to the morning performance is $5. Evening performances are $7.
The play is being held during the week in order to bring in school children for a morning performance, Gillis said. Several schools are transporting students by bus to attend.
Advance tickets are available at Columbus Christian Academy, 662-328-7888. Tickets are also available at the door.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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