Charlotte's Web at MHT!

Charlotte's Web: Adapted by Joseph Robinette; Based on the book by E.B. White. Running February 4 - 14, 2021

There is something magical about being in the theatre, watching a story unfold before your eyes, laughing, crying, gasping, even mourning with the people around you to make you feel less alone. It’s a truly communal experience. And what’s more, when the story is as beloved and well known as Charlotte’s Web, it’s a real treat. We all remember E. B. White’s story of a little pig and the friends who help fight for his life including Fern, the girl who nurses him to health, and Charlotte, the spider who spins words of praise for him into her web. It’s a sweet, endearing story cherished by generations of children. So, the mission to stage this production for live audiences is one we at the Market House are thrilled to be undertaking.

The cast is comprised of Market House veterans and newcomers alike. Abbie Dawson (James and the Giant Peach) who played a baby spider last time we staged Charlotte’s Web returns to the production as Wilbur. The Arable family is played by several familiar faces including Christopher Burnett (Making God Laugh) as John, Morgan Workman (The Rainbow Fish) as Martha, Carson Chesnut (The Rainbow Fish) as Avery, and Ashlyn Garner (Stuart Little) as Fern. Phillip Chesnut (James and the Giant Peach) plays Homer Zuckerman alongside Jalin Burnette (The Outsiders) as Edith and Nate Blossom (James and the Giant Peach) as the excitable farmhand, Lurvy. Our barnyard of animals is played by several newcomers to the Market House stage including Addyson Johnson as Goose, Kara Brien as Sheep, and C.S. Page as Lamb. MHT veterans Jude Williams (Ramona Quimby) plays the Gander and Wilson Page (Stuart Little) is Templeton. In the titular role of Charlotte we have Karly Jones (Disney's Frozen Jr.). Additionally, we have a chorus of narrators who weave the story together for us played by Aspyn Burnett (Ramona Quimby), Dagny Page (Disney's Frozen Jr.), and CoryOn Brooks (The Rainbow Fish).

Abbie Dawson as Wilbur

Charlotte’s Web is directed by MHT Education Director Emily Griffin, with Technical Direction by Michael Cochran, Set Design by Tom Hansen, and Costume Design by Angela Hoerner. Caleb Buford is Stage Managing the production.

There are many things that feel very different about staging a production at this particular moment in time, but one thing will never change and that is the community and love that grows through the process. We are delighted to share this tender show with our greater community and look forward to welcoming you back in February.

Did you Know?

When E. B. White wrote Charlotte’s Web, he wanted to be as scientific as possible even when it came to naming Charlotte. Her name is Charlotte A. Cavatica based on the scientific name Araneus cavaticus, which is just a fancy name for a common barn spider.

Karly Jones as Charlotte

Can you guess which character wasn’t part of the story until the final draft? It wasn’t Wilbur and it wasn’t Charlotte....it was Fern! Can you imagine this story without the love between Fern and her rescued pig? We certainly can’t!

E.B. White was an exceptionally talented author of children’s books including another story you may have seen on the Market House stage last season. Can you guess what it was? Stuart Little is the answer to that riddle.

Despite White’s efforts to be as scientific as possible, the illustrator of the book wanted to draw Charlotte with the face of a woman to make her look more friendly and charming. It didn’t work out and science prevailed.

You may know the name E. B. White as the author of Charlotte’s Web, but do you know what E. B. stands for? If you guessed Elwyn Brooks....you would be correct!