University Daily Kansan / Friday, October 21, 1988 9 Arts & Entertainment 'Web' weaves theme of childlike innocence By M. Meredith Relph Kansan staff writer Based on the simplicity of childhood innocence and the development of friendship, E.B. White's "Charlotte's Wonder" is a classic tale for children. The children's novel has been adapted for the stage by Joseph Robbine and will be performed by the University of Kansas Theatre for Young People company at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Craft-Preyer Theater in Murphy Christine Scanlin, Alexandria, Va., freshman, plays Fern Arabie, the young girl who persuades her father to let her raise the runt from a litter of piglets as a pet. She is known for playing in the fabric, played by Michael C. Moore, Michigan freshman. As the human counterpart to a number of animal friends, Fern talks with Wilbur and his barnyard companions, played by Charlotte, the las namesake spider, played by Nicole Montaya, the Las Vegas, Nev. Scanlin said Fern's relationship with the animals demonstrated the openness of childhood and the willingness to accept that children, like Scanlin said, are often too caught up in their lives and too taded to see the joy and fun that a child has. For example, when Fern talks about things she sees on the farm, it may be that she may be spending too much time with those animals. * "Many kids have seen the animated version and have read the book," she said. "It's hard compete with the "We all feel like being kids sometimes." Scanlin said. "That inception is what I try to relate to the audience." "When we were casting, I looked for people who were somewhat unconventional in their approach to acting. I wanted people who would be willing to try different things." Karen Lane Christies, Lawrence graduate student, is directing the play. She said one of the challenges faced by the cast of "Charlotte's Web" was making the animals believable. Christiles said that while 'Charlotte's Web' lent itself to many interpretations, she and the cash concentrated on creating a new narrative. "The audience can relate to the animals because they are a lot like us." Moore said. When Wilbur grows too large to be kept at home, he is moved to Ferr's uncle's farm. There, he becomes friends with other farm animals, including Charlotte, the spider who has her web above the barn door Although the play's messages are presented through animal characters, Moore said Wilbur and his friends had an innate humanness in the ways they thought and acted. Charlotte initially tells a homesick Wilbur that she will be his friend, making him happy because he misses Fern. When Wilbor discovers that Charlotte kills and drinks their blood for food, he isn't sure he wants to be friends with a bloodthirsty character. But when Charlotte begins to weave an elaborate story, an attack must save him from the butcher's knife, make him famous, he becomes best friends with the sucker. A makeup worksheet, which helps hold the guide for applying the make-up designed for each character is face before applying. "The play shows that you can be friends with someone even though you might not like everything about them." Christies said. "It is important to be able to accept them and also to accept yourself as you are." Charlotte's messages proclaim that Wilbur is "some pig," "terrific" and "radiant." Through her confidence in him, Wilbor learns to accept the parts of life that are unpleasant, including the acceptance of death. Charlotte's efforts to save Wilbur allow him to win a special prize at the county fair and thus assure him of a safe, long life. But Charlotte works so hard saving Wilber that she wears herself out and dies after laying her eggs. Wibur is sad at the loss of his friend, but he takes care of her egg sac until the baby spiders emerge in the nest. As the chicks develop, she's offspring, when three of the young spiders choose to remain in the barnyard with Wibur and the other Christies said the play had been performed this week for audiences of Lawrence-area grade school students and added that the response had been positive from the children. "Most of them seem willing to approach it differently because it is a play," she said. "They accept the idea as such, but not the way we do." All seats for "Charlotte's Web" are reserved. Tickets are $1 and on sale at the Murphy Hall box office. Nicole Montoya, Las Vegas freshman, finishes her makeup for the character of Charlotte, a spider, by applying lipstick as a final touch. LAWRENCE BATTERYCo. 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Sat. 10:50-6 841-2451 Thurs. 10:40-80 Sun Oct. 30, 12:5 University Chorus I & II Ronald Lokfer and James Relation, Directors Ronald Lokfer, Conductor Jazz Choir Sue Ann Stuthert, Director Gospel Choir Morgan Smith, Directo Men's Glee Club John Clvatt, Director **char-fest** (kor fest) festival of chars. **Exc:** The University of Kansas Department of Music and Dance Division of Choral Music Presents Celebration, at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, October 23, 1988, in the Crafton Prairie Theatre University Singers Michael Bauer, Director Chamber Choir James Rolston Director Do You Have Your azz Singers Ronald C. McCurdy, Director Free and Open to the Public The Crimson and the Blue Combined Choirs Concert Choir Ronald Lafaren, Director Collegium Musicum Daniel Politoske, Director