STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes of Imagination Stage's THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, Opening Tonight!

Imagination Stage, in a collaboration with The Washington Ballet, begins its world premiere summer production of THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE, opening tonight.  Click below to watch a behind the scenes look at the upcoming show. 

In this fusion of theater, dance, and puppetry, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, the roles of the four children are played jointly by an actor and a dancer, and the courageous lion Aslan is portrayed by a life-size puppet operated by three actor/puppeteers, similar to the puppets used in the Broadway production War Horse.

The four children’s roles are played by Imagination Stage veterans Christopher Wilson (Peter), Kate Guesman (Susan), and Rafael Cuesta (Edmund), and newcomer Justine Moral (Lucy). The roles are danced by: Laura Chachich (Susan), and Daniel Savetta (Edmund) – members of The Washington Ballet’s Professional Trainee Program, and Francesca Forcella (Lucy), a member of The Washington Ballet’s Studio Company. The Washington Ballet’s Morgann Rose portrays the White Witch. Aslan’s puppeteers are Michael John Casey (who also provides his voice) and Betsy Rosen.

The cast of The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe also includes Sara Beth Pfeifer (Mrs. Beaver/Voice of the White Witch) and Chong Sun (dancing as Tumnus/Elf). The dancer for the role of Peter and the third Aslan puppeteer are currently being cast.

The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe runs in Imagination Stage’s Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre June 20 through August 12. Appropriate for ages 5 and up, tickets are $10 to $27, and may be purchased online at www.imaginationstage.org, at the Imagination Stage box office, or via phone at 301-280-1660. Group rates are available.