ANCSS presents ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’

A record number of students auditioning for a limited number of roles in this fall’s play, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, at the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools has produced a serendipitous solution that is expected to enhance the production for audiences as well as cast and crew.

The new dramatization of C.S. Lewis’s classic runs for four performances at Mitchell Performing Arts Center in Bryn Athyn November 30-December 2.

“At ANCSS, our philosophy for the fall production is ‘It’s Everyone’s Play, So Everyone Plays,’” says Baird Kistner, director. “When we had a bumper crop of students audition this year, nearly double that of two years ago, we decided to embrace the enthusiasm and commitment and fill out Aslan’s Followers, the Witch’s Army and the Wood Nymphs.”

The play, set in the land of Narnia, faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia. The intense action features chases, duels and escapes as the witch is determined to keep Narnia in her possession and to end the reign of Aslan.

“This story of love, faith, courage and giving, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life,” says producer Sarah Cooper Waelchli. “As holiday entertainment, the 70-minute show is perfect for families and people of all ages.”

The script, which has no blackouts for scene changes, calls instead for Wood Nymphs to bring scenery on and off the stage.

“We are taking this further by having the Wood Nymphs, which are neither good nor bad but perhaps a bit mischievous, interact with the other characters and perform choreographed movement during the scene changes and in other dances in the show,” says Cooper Waelchli. “This allows them to direct and influence the play’s mood.”

The main characters include Sophomore Isabelle Kline as Aslan, senior Mikalah Klippenstein as the White Witch, sophomores Madison Zagorski and Levon Austin as Lucy and Edmund, and seniors Rayna Synnestvedt and Declan Durand as Susan and Peter.

The show opens at 8pm on Thursday, November 30, and continues with three more performances: 8pm Friday, December 1, and 3pm and 7pm Saturday, December 2.

Tickets are $10, $8 for students and children. Purchase online at www.ANCSS.org, by phone at 267.502.4810 or at the door. Use the code “ANCLion” for $4 off of Thursday’s opening night performance; “like” ANC Performing Arts’ Facebook page for early discounts on other performances. MPAC is at 800 Tomlinson Rd, Bryn Athyn 19009.

This year’s production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is directed by Baird Kistner, assisted by Simon Daum, with choreographer by Sarah Gladish. Set design and construction is by ANCSS’s StageCraft Class (taught by Chris Waelchli) and Lori Odhner’s Costuming Class created the costumes. Naomi Haus-Roth and Simon Daum oversaw MPAC management, lights and sound. The show is produced by Sarah Cooper Waelchli.

This production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is based on the book by C.S. Lewis, dramatized by Joseph Robinette and produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Ill.

Performing Arts at ANC
The Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools’ robust arts program includes not only classes in instrumental, choral and dance but also two plays a year, a year-round dance team, two-week summer acting camp for middle-schoolers and an intensive Performing Arts Portfolio class taught by the Sarah Gladish and Chris Waelchli.

Students interested in the backstage aspects of theater can take courses in set design or costuming. They can also participate as members of the stage crew or by joining the sound and lighting team.

Image: From left, Rayna Synnestvedt as Susan, Declan Durand as Peter, Levon Austin as Edmund and Madison Zagorski as Lucy. Credit: Sarah Cooper Waelchli for ANCSS