The Gainesville Theatre Alliance presents the magical tale of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe this October as part of the WonderQuest program, which is geared towards young audiences.
The show begins at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 7 and 14, and at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 8 and 14 at Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium. A character meet-and-greet with treats will take place after the Oct. 8 show. Additionally, WonderQuest will host shows for local classes during the day, by reservation only.
The full-length play, dramatized by Joseph Robinette, is adapted from the C.S. Lewis book of the same name in the Chronicles of Narnia series. The story explores a fantasy world discovered by the four Pevensie siblings playing in a mysterious wardrobe at their new home. Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter grapple with good and evil, make friends with colorful characters like Aslan the Lion and Tumnus the Faun, and go on an unforgettable journey in the land of Narnia.
“The adventures in Narnia are great, but for me, the ideals of the family are the far greater adventure, as shown through Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy,” GTA Artistic Director Zechariah Pierce said. “To lose a brother and then be reconciled; to love, fail, and forgive; to muster courage and arrive victorious; to find redemption in community – all these themes come out of the Pevensie children’s fraternal bonds and are predicated on the communal foundations of the true, the good, and the beautiful.”
WonderQuest is part of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance, a partnership between Brenau and the University of North Georgia. Students from both schools work together to create impressive shows.
Paris Aguilar will play the role of the Dwarf in the upcoming production. The Brenau senior theater major’s degree has an emphasis on lighting design and technology and performance, and last year she was head electrician for WonderQuest show The Pirate Queen.
“It’s especially inspiring being on both sides of productions because it just makes you appreciate the final product more,” Aguilar said. “The beauty of theater for young audiences is in the magic-making. Depending on their ages, young audiences don’t always understand that we are students in costumes, so the characters really come to life.”
Aguilar said she was surprised to be cast as the Dwarf.
“I get to be a maniacal menace who wreaks havoc at the bidding of the White Witch,” Aguilar said. “I was a bit hesitant and confused at first since it wasn’t a role I had originally auditioned for, but I am having so much fun with this. It’s nice to be the comedic relief and make people laugh!”
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is suitable for all ages. Tickets are available online and by calling the GTA box office at 678-717-3624.
