NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Aug. 9.
PORT ANGELES — Inside a mansion, the four youngsters find a wardrobe.
Of course they climb inside.
What ensues is one of literature’s great discoveries: Narnia, a world where the animals speak and the White Witch means to ensure perennial winter — but never Christmas.
The journey is shepherded by C.S. Lewis, author of the 1950 novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe — and Port Angeles Community Players director Barb Frederick.
For their first children’s theater production in 15 years, the community players are staging Joseph Robinette’s adaptation of “The Lion . . .,” that beloved tale of good versus evil, tonight through Sunday.
The cast has just two adults plus 22 children ages 8 to 16. And it is, Frederick said, “theater at its purest, with children who are performing for the joy of it.”
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” unfolds at 7:30 tonight and Saturday night and 2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at the Port Angeles Community Playhouse, 1235 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
Admission is by donation at the door, and no reservations are needed.
“I’ve watched this production literally change a couple of kids,” Frederick said, “from very shy to outgoing, from quiet and hesitant to embracing everything about the show with huge smiles.”
Children’s theater
Port Angeles started a children’s theater group in 1997, she added.
It’s taken a long time to resurrect it.
But this “Lion” cast and crew have turned out, Frederick said, to be a happy mix of parents, children, brothers and sisters.
Mindy Gelder of Port Angeles portrays the White Witch, her 8-year-old son Reef Gelder plays the Dwarf, and both are having a blast.
Mindy’s character wants people to think she’s the queen of Narnia, but is she ever a witch.
“She’s evil, through and through,” said the actress.
Thanks to its kids, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is “an absolutely wonderful story,” Mindy promised.
“It’s magical,” she added, “and we’re bringing it to life.”
Only one other adult appears in the play: Bob Bronsink as Father Christmas.
The young actors include siblings Bailey, Brady and Cody Anderson; Kelsey and MacKenzie Cammack; Garrett and Damon Little; Cindy and Meiqi Liang; and Ceara and Tabitha Webster.
Faith Chamberlain, Alex Delgado, Kaylee Dunlap, Emily McAliley, Stuart Methner, Michael Roggenbuck, Hudson Soelter, Alisandra Baccus, Petra Bernsten and Alisyn Boyd complete the cast.
Frederick, for her part, believes this “Lion” will change its young actors forever.
“It is so important that children get the chance to explore the creativity inside,” she said, “and play in different worlds.”
For more information about the Port Angeles Community Players, visit www.PACommunityPlayers.com or phone 360-452-6651.
________
Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
