Beck Youth Theater Presents Charlotte’s Web 11/3-6

Based on the classic children's book by E.B. White, Beck Youth Theater presents Charlotte's Web, the story of "Some Pig" named Wilbur and his special friendship with a spider named Charlotte, on the Mackey Main Stage, November 3-6, 2011. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The student matinee on Thursday, November 3 is sold out.

Charlotte's Web ranked number one of Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children in a 2007 National Education Association survey. Beck Center's production of Joseph Robinette's dramatization of this award-winning book is directed by Jonathan Kronenberger, Beck's associate director of theater education. "I always try to find a classic, timeless story for our students to share with an audience," explained Kronenberger. "Charlotte's Web is a perfect fit for audiences of all ages as it teaches us about the strength of friendship between two unlikely friends."

Beck Center's production features a cast of 44 talented young actors ages 7 to 17. Rehearsals began in late September with the children spending afternoons and weekends learning their lines and staging of the play. Students also worked behind the scenes helping with lights and sound for this production. Kronenberger feels they have learned other valuable lessons from the show. "Charlotte's incredible generosity and selflessness," commented Kronenberger, "is something I think we all need to be reminded of in our daily lives."

This production of Charlotte's Web is dedicated in memory of Lynnette Guttmann, former director of theater education at the Beck Center, who passed away in August. Guttmann, a singer, actress and voice coach, dedicated her life to theater education throughout Northeast Ohio. Lynnette was well known and admired for her generous spirit and commitment to her students, many of whom went on to share their talents on Broadway, including Beck alum Rory O'Malley, who was nominated for a Tony Award earlier this year.

Tickets for Charlotte's Web are $12 for Adult/Senior (65 and over) and $10 for Children/Student (18 and under). Special discounted rates are available for groups of 13 or more. For tickets, visit beckcenter.org or call 216.521.2540 x10. Beck Center is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, just 10 minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Free onsite parking is available.

Beck Center's production of Charlotte's Web is presented through special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company, Woodstock, IL, and is sponsored by First Federal Lakewood and Cox Communications. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this production with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. This production is also generously supported by the public through a grant from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

Beck Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that offers professional Theater Productions, arts education programming in dance, music, theater, visual arts, early childhood, and creative arts therapies, and gallery exhibits featuring regional artists. For more information about the Beck Center, visit beckcenter.org.