Watertown Children’s Theatre Presents 'The Hobbit'

This weekend "The Hobbit" takes center stage at the Arsenal Center for the Arts.  Watertown Children’s Theatre's musical production of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic story features 60 third- to fifth-grade students, many from Watertown and others from nearby towns.

The theatre’s fall season already opened with a spooky look at the life of Edgar Allen Poe, in Kathryn Schultz Miller’s "Poe! Poe! Poe!" Now, audiences can follow the adventures of Bilbo Baggins as he encounters dwarves, dragons, and others.

The musical is Jessica Harms’s first opportunity to direct at WCT. She has directed over a dozen musicals and says this production is something different than your average elementary school play.  

"[It’s a] unique opportunity to perform in a professional environment … working as if each child is a professional actor," Harms says.

While studying their lines, the children also learn how a professional theater functions, including carrying out different jobs, such as costumer designer, stage manager, and production assistant.  

"Every time we add in a new layer — props, costume, lights, sound, set, etc. — the excitement from the kids is palpable," she says. "I know when I was a child, to be able to perform in such a professional environment would have been out of my dreams."

Children rehearse scenes over and over, Harms says, and learn to take pride in their work and never give up.  

"How awesome the reward is when you practice something until it is mastered," she says. "It is an amazing feeling to see a kid feeling on top of the world when they've done a good job and they know it."  

While the seats for these shows are usually filled with family and friends, other members of the surrounding community come as well.  "'The Hobbit' is both a popular children's story and fun for the whole family," Harms says. "For the price of a movie, come see something original and live."

Performances will take place in the Arsenal Center for the Arts' Charles Mosesian Theater on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.  For more information, visit WCT’s website or call 617-926-ARTS. Tickets are $12.