Rialto Players to present Charlotte’s Web

MORRILTON — The Rialto Players will present the children’s classic tale of friendship Charlotte’s

Web at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. July 29 at the Rialto Community Arts Center.

Adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette, the play is based on the literary classic by E.B. White. The play tells the story of Wilbur, the little pig that becomes famous with the help of his barnyard friends, most notably, Charlotte the spider.

The play is under the direction of Jennifer DeGroot of Morrilton, president of the Rialto Players and vice president of the Arts Council of Conway County, and Michael Childress, also of Morrilton, secretary of the Arts Council of Conway County and vice president of the Rialto Players. Childress, along with Nathan Davis of Morrilton, also built the set.

“I chose this play,” said Childress, who has been involved in theater since he was in high school. He graduated from Morrilton High School in 1995 and moved to New York City, where he was involved in Off-Broadway productions. He moved back to Morrilton and has participated in productions at the Rialto Community Arts Center for approximately three years.

“I have always enjoyed

he said. “It’s a great story … a literary classic that portrays the lessons of friendship, loyalty and truth and shows that friends come in all shapes and sizes.”

DeGroot, who has appeared in and directed several plays, not only at the Rialto but also at the now defunct Conway Dinner Theatre, said they “had an amazing amount

of kids show up for auditions.”

“We hoped to do it with an all-kids cast and got really close,” she said, adding that there are six adults in the show. “Most of the kids who came out for auditions were new to us. … That’s even better.”

DeGroot was active in theater at Morrilton High School and at Tennessee Tech University’s Backdoor Playhouse and Wesley Arena Theatre. Her mother, Debbie Thompson of Morrilton, is the costumer for

Kayla Chassells of Morrilton is also part of the stage crew; she is doing lights and sound.

Cast members include the following:

• Addison Briggler of Plumerville, 12, appears as Fern Arable, the young girl who begs her father to raise Wilbur, who was the runt of the litter, and nurse him to health.

• Sebastian Austill of Perry portrays John Arable, Fern’s father.

• Halli Simpson of Conway plays the role of Martha Arable, Fern’s mother, with Jamie Winston of Morrilton as the understudy.

• Luke Bauman of Morrilton, 11, appears as Avery Arable, Fern’s brother.

• Cody Reed of Morrilton plays Homer Zuckerman, Fern’s uncle who agrees to take Wilbur to his farm, wanting to fatten him for the butcher.

• Carly Brewer of Atkins portrays Edith Zuckerman, Fern’s aunt.

• Dakota Driver of Morrilton, 11, plays Lurvy, the farmhand whose principal job is to feed Wilbur.

• William Ricker, 9, of Morrilton plays Wilbur the pig.

• Isaac Goodrich of Conway, 10, portrays Templeton, the big barn rat that lives under Wilbur’s trough.

• Bailey Urie of Morrilton, 11, plays Charlotte the spider.

• Jayden Swain of Plumerville, 7, plays Goose, one of Wilbur’s barnyard friends.

• Jason Swain of Plumerville, 8, plays Gander, also one of Wilbur’s barnyard friends.

• Skylar Brewer of Morrilton, 12, plays Sheep, another barnyard friend.

• Aymslee Walker of Morrilton, 9, plays Lamb, also a barnyard friend.

• A.J. Finley of Hattieville portrays Uncle, the large pig who lives next to Wilbur at the county fair.

Members of the chorus include Erica Huff, 11; Isabella Rogers, 10; and Khloe Hartwick, 10, all of Morrilton.

Appearing in the ensemble are Kevin Sterling, 7; Emalee Winston, 11; Chloe Driver, 7; Emily Wendt, 10; and Dezmond Wendt, 8, all of Morrilton.

Tickets to Charlotte’s Web are $10 for adults and $5 for children and may be purchased at the door or online at

rialtomorrilton.com. For more information, call (501) 288-9259 or visit the Rialto Community Arts Center Facebook page.

The Rialto Community Arts Center is at 213 E. Broadway in Morrilton.

The Royal Players will present two more productions this year: Night Watch, by Lucille Fletcher, on Sept. 20-23, and A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas, by Pat Cook, on Nov. 8-11.

CAROL ROLF/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Lurvy, played by Dakota Driver, far left, prepares to feed Wilbur the pig in this scene from Charlotte’s Web, which will be presented by the Rialto Players. Looking on are some of Wilbur’s animal friends — back row, from left, Templeton the rat, played by Isaac Goodrich; Uncle, the large pig that lives near Wilbur at the county fair, played by A.J. Finley; Gander, played by Jason Swain; and Goose, played by Jayden Swain.

CAROL ROLF/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER The Rialto Players will present Charlotte’s Web on Thursday through July 29 at the Rialto Community Arts Center in Morrilton. Cast members include, front row, from left, Jason Swain appearing as Gander, Jayden Swain as Goose, Addison Briggler as Fern Arable and Kevin Sterling as a member of the ensemble; and, back row, Isabella Rogers as a member of the chorus, A.J. Finley as Uncle, Dakota Driver as Lurvy, Erica Huff as a member of the chorus and Isaac Goodrich as Templeton the rat.