Playhouse in the Park to present ‘Lion, Witch and Wardrobe’
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will breathe new life into the timeless classic “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” when the production comes to the Fitton Center this weekend. The production is an Off the Hill Touring Play.
“This is the final show of the Fitton Family Fridays for this season, so it’s the last production we will have until September, which will be part of the new season,” said Ian MacKenzie-Thurley, executive director of the Fitton Center.
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park offers a touring production of the C.S. Lewis work that many children, parents and grandparents have enjoyed over the years.
“Bringing that story to life on the Fitton Center stage will be something incredibly special,” MacKenzie-Thurley said.
The show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $7 for Fitton Center members and $9 for nonmembers, plus a $1 ticketing fee.
Before the start of the production, there will be a complimentary reception by Two Women in a Kitchen, with kid-friendly appetizers and drinks that will be served in the Carruthers Signature Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, go to fittoncenter.org.
“This is a great opportunity to enjoy something together as a family and with your neighbors, so it’s a shared experience,” said MacKenzie-Thurley.
“There are no screens, no phones or projectors involved. It’s always live theater onstage, so it’s something real and tangible, and you’re able to share in that together and have fun.”
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is a tale about family, war, treachery, bravery and redemption in the fantasy land of Narnia.
In Narnia, a land of talking animals, mythical creatures and eternal winter, the White Witch holds power over all. Anyone who dares to dissent is instantly turned into stone. But one day, a little girl named Lucy enters this magical land through an enchanted wardrobe, and her fantastical adventure signals the fulfillment of a prophecy and great change to come.
The Fitton Family Fridays series offers the entire family performances by local children’s theater companies, puppet shows, live ballet, musical theater and the orchestra, as well as interactive events.
“We’ve seen some amazing talent, and these performers work so hard,” MacKenzie-Thurley said.
“They love coming to the Fitton Center. They feel the warmth and encouragement from the audience, and they think the questions at the Q&A session are fantastic,” he said.
As part of each show, kids have a chance to go behind the scenes and interact with the actors, performers and musicians. They’ll learn about what it’s like to rehearse for a play or a musical. After the performance, kids can ask questions and find out what it takes to put on the production.