Photo Flash: 'Charlotte's Web' at South Coast Rep

E.B. White's beloved fable about love and friendship will tug on the heartstrings when South Coast Repertory's Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) presents Charlotte's Web.  Adapted by Joseph Robinette from E.B. White's book and directed by Shelley Butler, Charlotte's Web runs February 8 - 24 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

The Children's Literature Association named Charlotte's Web "the best American children's book of the past two hundred years," and Robinette's adaptation, working with the advice of White, is one of the most widely produced children's plays in the United States.  All of the book's enchanting characters come alive on stage:  Wilbur, the irresistible young pig who desperately wants to avoid the butcher; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed; and Charlotte, the extraordinary spider who proves to be "a true friend and a good writer."

The cast of Charlotte's Web features Guilford Adams as Wilbur, Pamela Shaddock makes her SCR debut in the role of Charlotte (and Mrs. Arable and Baby Spider); Diana Burbano as Narrator/Gander/Others), Sol Castillo (Arable/Templeton/Lurvy) and Jennifer Chang (Fern/Goose/Others).

The creative team for Charlotte's Web includes Sibyl Wickersheimer (set design), Paloma Helena Young (costume design), Sara Broadhead (lighting design), Tom Cavnar (sound design) and Chrissy Church (stage manager).

Low-priced previews are available Feb. 8 - 15.  Opening day is Feb 16.  Press matinee is Feb. 10 at 2:00 p.m.  All children who attend the Target Family Performance on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 11:00 a.m. will receive a free gift.  Tickets to Charlotte's Web may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at 714-708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office (655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa). Regularly priced tickets range from $15 to $27.  Low-priced preview performances are available from Feb. 8-15. 

Previews:  Friday, Feb. 15 at 7:00 p.m.  Regular Performances:  Saturday, Feb. 16 at 11:00 a.m. (Target Family Performance), 2:00 and 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 17 at 2:00 and 4:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23 at 2:00, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2:00 and 4:30 p.m.  Discounts are available for children 12 years and younger.  The Target Family Performance is Saturday, Feb. 16 at 11:00 a.m. with an earlier performance time and lower ticket price thanks to Target, title sponsor of the Target Family Performances.

South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, at the Bristol Street/Avenue of the Arts exit off the San Diego (405) Freeway in the Folino Theater Center, part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.  Parking is available off Anton Blvd. on Park Center Drive.

Photos courtesy SCR