A.R.T.'s IATT to Present CHARLOTTE'S WEB This Winter

Following previous seasons' holiday hits James and The Giant Peach, The Pirate Princess, and The Light Princess, American Repertory Theater's Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University presents Charlotte's Web, E.B. White's beloved children's classic about friendship and loyalty.

The production is adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette, directed by A.R.T. Institute alumnus Dmitry Troyanovsky ('00), and features actors from the A.R.T. Institute's Class of 2018.

Performances will be held on the mainstage at the Loeb Drama Center at 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge from December 17, 2017 through January 7, 2018.

On the Arable family farm, a miracle is about to happen. In order to save young Wilbur from the butcher, Charlotte-a very special spider-hatches a plan to show the world how "radiant" one pig can be in the eyes of a true friend. Audience members are invited to visit the Loeb Drama Center West Lobby thirty minutes before curtain of this hour-long adaptation to complete a craft that they can use to participate in the performance.

The cast of Charlotte's Web includes Joel Derby as Avery/Uncle, Blake Edwards as Mr. Arable/Mr. Carter, Jesse Friedman as Sheep/President of the Fair, Michael Scott Gomez as Templeton, Bridget Haberecht as Goose, Shawn Jain as Homer, Christina Brown as Fern, Ryan Rhue as Wilbur, Laura Yumi Snell as Gander, Erin Nicole Washington as Charlotte, and Nathaniel Weiss as Lurvy. Scenic elements and lighting design are by Maruti Evans (James and the Giant Peach), costume design is by Rachel Padula (wig and make-up design for Fingersmith and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812), sound design is by Andrew Duncan Will, and props design is by Lisa Charlotte Berg.

"Theater for children and young people can explore the human condition," says Troyanovsky. "Charlotte's Web reminds us that we can strive to make something beautiful out of the time given to us and learn to share this earth with those who do not resemble us."

"This adaptation of E. B. White's classic fable reminds us that, even in tough times, a friend in our corner can make all the difference," say A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus. "In the tradition of our holiday family programming, we are delighted to bring this beloved story to life on stage."

Performance dates and times: December 17, 23, 27, 30, 31 and January 6, 7 at 10AM; December 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29 at 11AM and 2PM. December 29 at 2PM is a Sensory Friendly performance for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or other sensory sensitivities. For more information visit americanrepertorytheater.org/sensory-friendly.

Tickets are $20 for adults/$15 for kids and can be purchased by calling 617.547.8300 or online at americanrepertorytheater.org. Learn more about the show at americanrepertorytheater.org/charlotte.

The Loeb Drama Center, located at 64 Brattle Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, is accessible to persons with special needs and to those requiring wheelchair seating or first-floor restrooms. Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons can also reach the theater by calling the toll-free N.E. Telephone Relay Center at 1.800.439.2370.

The A.R.T. Institute was established in 1987 by the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) as a training ground for the professional American theater. It is a graduate training program for theater professionals, operated in association with the Moscow Art Theater School (MXAT). The wide range of courses given by the international faculty offers students unique preparation for the multi-faceted demands of the professional theater. The full-time, two-year graduate program of study in acting, dramaturgy, or voice pedagogy awards a Master of Liberal Arts Degree in Extension Studies from the faculty of the Harvard Extension School and the faculty of the American Repertory Theater Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University.

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