The Brooke Hills Playhouse has announced the cast for its upcoming production of “Charlotte’s Web,” Joseph Robinette’s funny and poignant stage adaptation of E. B. White’s children’s classic about the unlikely friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte.
“Charlotte’s Web,” the Playhouse’s annual show for younger actors and audiences, will be performed at 8 p.m. July 27-28, and Aug. 3-4, with 2 p.m. matinees July 29 and Aug. 5.
According to the director, Julia Barnhart of Wellsburg, the cast consists of 25 area residents ranging in age from preschoolers to grandparents. Barnhart, who also serves as president of the Playhouse’s parent organization, the Brooke County Arts Council, said, “This show is literally a family production, with family, relatives and friends working on stage and behind the scenes.”
Playhouse veteran Amarah Narus of West Middleton has been cast in the title role of Charlotte. Wilbur, the runt of a pig litter and county fair competitor, will be portrayed by another Playhouse regular, Jazmyn Wood of Wellsburg. Another young actor familiar to Brooke Hills audiences, Audrey Orecchio of Weirton, will play the crucial role of the loyal but sometimes sketchy Templeton the rat.
Humans also play crucial roles in the story, including Fern Arable, the girl who saves Wilbur from an early death and raises him as a pet. Fern will be played by Marley Stotler of Wellsburg, with fellow Wellsburg residents Josh Zolman and Hannah Charlton playing Fern’s parents, John and Martha Arable. Ethan Marker of Follansbee has been cast as Fern’s brother, Avery Arable.
Fern’s uncle, Homer Zuckerman, owns the big farm where all the animals live. Homer will be played by Walt Warren of Wheeling, with Peggy Barki of Windsor Heights portraying his wife, Edith Zuckerman. Matthew Kolb of Follansbee has the role of their long-time hired hand, Lurvey.
Rob DeSantis of Follansbee will play a reporter and a spectator, with Diana Mendel of Wellsburg portraying another spectator. Tucker Wood of Wellsburg is cast as a photographer. Angelina Montesano and Izabella Buck, both of Follansbee, along with Savannah Grooms of Wellsburg, will portray chorus members and judges. Mike Grubick of Follansbee will play the Announcer at the county fair.
Grace Marianacci of Wintersville will have the role of Uncle, the pig who is Wilbur’s chief competitor. Marianacci also will play a barnyard gander. Addison Orecchio of Weirton will portray a sheep, with Avery Morris of Wellsburg as her lamb. A group of baby spiders will be played by Liam Morris and Maddison Rees of Wellsburg, Olive Sherich and Lola Sherich of Weirton and Emma Dulaney of Follansbee.
Reservations are available by calling or texting the Playhouse at 304-737-3344. Ticket prices for individual shows are $11 for adults, $9 for seniors and students, and $7 for children.
