By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Calls for more glitter, a change to a tint of makeup, and adjustments to lighting all set the stage as the Bucyrus Little Theatre prepared for its opening night of ‘Narnia.’
Candy Boyd, the director for the theatre’s latest production, sat before a sewing machine in the lobby of Bucyrus Little Theatre as her cast members trickled through the doors Tuesday evening for a dress rehearsal.
“I was looking for a show that would involve some children but also involve adults,” said Boyd, who has been in theater most of her life. “I happen to be a big fan of fantasy, so I finally just stumbled across this musical and instantly went, ‘Yep, that’s what I want to do.’”
Boyd added that she fell in love with the songs after listening to some of the audio clips.
Though the musical will be based on C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, fans of the book should be aware that it will not follow the storyline exactly.
“It’s just like Hollywood – they take and they change things,” Boyd said.
Nonetheless, fans of the Chronicles of Narnia can expect Aslan, the White Witch, the Pevensie siblings, and even a very special Tumnus.
“I can’t tell. It’s a secret,” Boyd said with a coy smile over the Tumnus character, a faun in the story, and the costume. “That costume is fabulous. I had a great costumer do that particular costume . . . the legs are fantastic. I’m very happy with them.”
Though people make up some of the cast, a large portion of it is filled by animal characters like Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, the white stag, a unicorn, reindeer, and wolves. Those were the characters that proved most challenging for Boyd and her cast.
“Trying to bring a fantasy world to life, it’s been a fun challenge. The characters in this show, they’re mostly animals. So it’s putting actors into a different role than they’re used to playing. It’s really forcing them to come out of their shells and be completely different characters,” Boyd explained.
“For me, directing is a newer experience – I’ve only done a couple shows now – but it’s a role I’m enjoying thoroughly,” Boyd said. “It’s been such a pleasure to work with the cast. I really feel like I got the right people for all these core roles that people know and love so well.”
To the best of Boyd’s knowledge, this will be the first time a production of ‘Narnia’ has been put on in Crawford County.
“It’s a perfect opportunity for families to go out and see something together. It’s so family-friendly, but it also has so many elements that appeal to just adults,” said Boyd. “It’s very open. I think people of all ages will enjoy it.”
The other benefit to staging a ‘Narnia’ production is that it spans multiple generations of children who grew up with the stories.
“We strive to do really good shows here at Bucyrus Little Theatre. I think this has been a wonderful opportunity where we have taken and had an opportunity to bring in all these community people – a lot of whom don’t have much experience but really wanted to help because this was special show. (We’ve) actually been able to introduce a lot of new people to theater . . . the growth, how far they’ve come – I think it’s so worth coming to see your friends, your neighbors, the people you know are doing this. I think it’s something everyone should see.”
The show is being presented at Bucyrus Little Theatre, 130 Songer Ave. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2, 3, and 9 and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 11. Tickets are $15 for an adult guest and $10 for students. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 419-562-0731 or visit the Bucyrus Little Theatre Facebook page or its website.
The cast for ‘Narnia’ is as follows:
Aslan – Brenden Hughes
White Witch – Maggie Mackell
Lucy – Aubrey Hastings
Edmund – Todd Chandler
Susan – Hannah Skinner
Peter – Cole Robinson
Professor – David Cory
Mrs. Macready – Sarah Burk
Mr. Beaver – Matt Eichhorn
Mrs. Beaver – Jennifer Roshon
Dwarf – Jayda Robison
Fenris Ulf – Alexa Franklin
Tumnus – Sydney Harris
Father Christmas – Preston Mackell
White Stag – Haylee Quaintance
Dryad – Jasmine Taylor
Squirrel – Justin Chandler
Fox – Paten Deskins
Eagle – Addison Ricker
Bull – Chynna Rose
Leopard – Sarah Burk
Unicorn – Jackie Robison
Dog – Deven Deskins
Owl – Rachel Taylor
Reindeer – Cambria Wolff and Isabella Stang
Wolves – Chris Collins, Noah Taylor, and Charlie Miley
Nymph – Jen Perdue