Photograph by Robert Scheer
Julia Randazzo, 13, (left), and Ki Kallbrier, 12, play Charlotte and Wilbur the pig in the Saratoga Children's Theatre production of "Charlotte's Web."
By Diane Hoda
You hear a lot about the Web these days. Here's one you may have visited in a book, on the screen or in your imagination. Now see it live.
E. B. White's classic, Charlotte's Web, will be performed by 65 children in the seventh production of the Saratoga Children's Musical Theatre, directed by Carole Ferris-Greer and choreographed by Shauna Harris.
This enchanting tale is about a spider, Charlotte, who befriends a pig, Wilbur. What's more, Charlotte weaves her own web with messages that help her porcine companion.
What's different about Ferris-Greer's adaptation of the classic work is the element of surprise: She spins magic by weaving rock 'n' roll tunes into the traditional musical fabric for her stage productions.
"The use of classic oldies from rock 'n' roll truly livens up performances, making them entertaining for both actors and baby-boomer parents," Greer says. "Stand by Your Pig" is sung by a barnyard of farm animals in Charlotte's Web; "Don't be Cruel," by a rejected frog in Greer's adaptation of The Frog Prince, and "Rock Around the Clock" by guests at the ball in Cinderella.
Since 1993, the Saratoga Children's Musical Theatre has presented spring, summer and Christmas-season performances. Child performers range in age from 5 to 17, but most are between 9 and 12. The participants normally attend one or at most two rehearsals a week for 12 weeks, until "hell week," close to showtime, when rehearsals become more frequent.
Parents are also involved. They help backstage, with cleanup or with ticket sales.
Shauna Harris, for instance, concentrates on costumes and musical numbers. She also has performed with the West Valley College theatre group.
Musical theatre has many rewards. One of the young actors, 16-year-old Kyle P. Becker, who has performed in several productions, now helps direct and coach performers and helps develop the scripts. He has been cast as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, the frog in The Frog Prince, and has even played one of the ugly stepsisters in Cinderella.
Becker plays the role of Mr. Zuckerman, the farmer, in Charlotte's Web.
Julia Randazzo plays Charlotte and Ki Kalbrier is cast as Wilbur.
After performing in five productions with the Saratoga Children's Theatre, volunteer Jennifer Cauble says her 10-year old daughter watches other productions with more appreciation, making comments on scenery, acting and illusion on stage.
The children learn that what goes on backstage--the lighting, timing and special effects--aren't as easy as the audience may think, Cauble says. And the children can improvise to overcome minor adversity.
"When the theatre group performed Alice in Wonderland," Cauble says, "a light for a special effect fell backstage, but the children worked around it because they have learned the show must go on."
"I want to create a moment to remember for the kids," says Greer. Onstage, they are rewarded for their efforts, for example, by receiving laughs from the audience, and by the friendships they develop.
Greer's goal is not to create actors with bulky portfolios. Her goal is making sure the young actors have fun, and develop self-confidence, self-esteem and a sense of community. Greer encourages the children to help each other and explains to them that the success of the show depends on each cast member. Greer is serious about teaching her craft. Her young students are encouraged to develop their character, to bring it to life through mannerisms, lines and gestures.
Greer also considers the uniqueness of the children. For instance, a student in a wheelchair was fixed up like a toy train in The Velveteen Rabbit.
Performances of Charlotte's Web will be in the round at the Saratoga Community Center, 13777 Fruitvale Ave,. Saratoga on April 19 at 7:30 p.m., and April 20 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets beginning one hour before each show. For information call (408) 867-3438.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, April 17, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved