Visit Narnia Nov. 13-22

By Dan Nonte, University Relations

Contact: (336) 334-4314

Posted 11-9-09

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Rediscover the magic and mystery of Narnia when UNCG’s North Carolina Theatre for Young People presents “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” in Taylor Theatre Nov. 13-22.

The university’s theatre students direct, design, perform and stage-manage the show, which is intended for children in grades one through eight. Since it was founded in 1962, NCTYP has performed live theatre for more than 2 million children in Guilford County and throughout the state.

Set at the dawn of World War II, four children evacuated from London find themselves growing up and taking part in the greatest adventure of their young lives. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia, where it is always winter but never Christmas.

There they become part of the epic battle between the White Witch, who is determined to keep control of Narnia, and the rightful ruler, the great lion Aslan. This dramatization by Joseph Robinette faithfully recreates the C.S. Lewis classic, which won the American Library Association’s Notable Children’s Book Award.

“It’s a coming of age story,” says director Ariana Moses, a graduate student in the Theatre for Young People program. “The war outside Narnia the children can’t do anything about. In Narnia, they control their own destiny. They could go back through the wardrobe, but they decide to stay.”

The play raises questions for performers and audience members alike, she says.

“Is Narnia a real place or is it fantasy?” Moses asks. “Did Lucy, the first of the children to visit Narnia, create it through her imagination? Do the other children add elements? I think the audience should make its own decision. I have an opinion, but I’m not going to say.”

Erika Grayson designed the sets; Angela Howell designed the costumes; and Kate Devine designed the lighting. That design work is a master’s thesis for Grayson and for Howell.

Performances are in Taylor Theatre, 450 Tate Street, at 7 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 20, 21; 2 p.m. Nov. 14, 15, 22; 9:30 a.m. Nov. 17-20; noon Nov. 18, 20; and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Nov. 21. Free parking is available on weekends and weekdays after 5 p.m. behind the Weatherspoon Art Museum on the corner of Tate and Spring Garden Streets.

Tickets – $15 for adults; $12 for children, seniors and non-UNCG students; $9 for groups of 10 or more and UNCG alumni; and $7 for UNCG students – can be purchased at the door beginning one hour before performances or from the UNCG Box Office at (336) 334-4849 or http://boxoffice.uncg.edu.

Please note: There will be a special Tea and Turkish Delight Performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, with tea and snacks served in the UNCG Alumni House following the play. Please RSVP with payment, $10 per person for the show and refreshments, to Jody Cauthen at jtcauthe@uncg.edu or (336) 334-4601.