THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE at St. Luke's Theatre Adds New Cast Members

The long running Off-Broadway production, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has announced Rachel Osterhus has joined the cast as Lucy/White Witch opposite Jesse Corbin. Mari Minette Linder and Jeff Sundheim have also joined the company as understudies.Playing for over 5 years at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46th Street, this inventive and highly theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis's beloved tale from the Chronicles of Narnia features two actors portraying eight characters, both human and animal. Through the magic of theatre, the audience travels to Narnia with the Pevensie children and get swept into their journey to stand with the great lion Aslan against the evil White Witch. As the children battle the forces of evil they discover that Love is the deepest magic of all.

Rachel Osterhus was most recently seen as Minnie Fay in Virginia Musical Theatre's production of Hello Dolly, as Anybody's in West Side Story at Greater Ocean City Theatre Company, and in Merry-Go-Round Playhouse's production of Oklahoma. Other regional credits: The Little Mermaid (Ariel), 42nd Street, Les Miserables(Cosette), Tarzan, and Peter Pan. Also announced are Mari Minette Linder and Jeff Sundheim as the company's new understudies. Sundheim comes to Narnia via roles at Barter Theatre and Flat Rock Playhouse, while Linder has previously appeared at Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. They join current cast members Jesse Corbin (Peter, Aslan, and others), and Zander Kirby (understudy).

Under the direction of Julia Beardsley O'Brien, this production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe employs two actors to play children, beavers, fauns, wicked witches and mythic lions. Ms. O'Brien states, "We invite our audience to use its imagination. There is no fake snow or audience participation. Instead we create a 'magic circle' in the theatre. When the actors are INSIDE the circle, they are SHOWING you the story as it comes to life. When the actors step OUTSIDE the circle, they are TELLING you the story." Originally dramatized by LeClanché du Rand for Lincoln Center Theatre, this production features set and lighting design by Josh Iacovelli with costumes by Tom Long and masks by Jane Stein.

Director Julia Beardsley O'Brien's NY directing credits include The Rise of Dorothy Hale (Assistant Director); the National Tour of Gilligan's Island, the Musical (assistant director); Mad Forest (QED Productions), True Story Project: Faith (Visible Theatre), and Clucky, the Brave Little Hen (Visible Theatre/Stone Barns Center). She has also worked as the Education Director for a non-profit theatre, a teaching artist for various organizations, and as a member of general management team on many Off-Broadway productions.

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe performs every Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Luke's Theatre. There are additional Wednesday matinees scheduled throughout the year. Matinee performances for schools and other groups can be arranged by calling 718-483-5989 or via e-mail at narniaoffbroadway@gmail.com. Ms. O'Brien said "The combination of classic children's literature and a live theatre performance make it a perfect fit for an educational and entertaining field trip."

Tickets at $35 are available through www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200. Running time is 45 minutes and the show is appropriate for children age five and older. For more information, visit www.narniaoffbroadway.com.

Photo credit: Samantha Lee Blinn