THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE Begins Performances at St. Luke's

In this inventive and highly theatrical adaptation, which has been performed across the country, two actors play eight characters including animals. Through the magic of theatre, we travel to Narnia where the White Witch's spell makes it eternally winter but never Christmas. But everything changes when four siblings venture through an old wardrobe and enter this land of talking animals, charming fauns, giants and dwarves. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Aslan the Great Lion, the children battle the forces of evil and discover that Love is the deepest magic of all.

Dramatized by le Clanché du Rand, the play features Andrew Fortman and Erin Layton playing children, beavers, fauns, wicked witches and mythic lions, all under the direction of Julia Beardsley O'Brien. Set and lighting design is by Josh Iacovelli with costumes and masks by Tom Long.

Off-Broadway Family Theatre provides quality theatrical experiences for family audiences by presenting both new and classic plays targeted towards children while still appealing to adults.

"THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE" is its inaugural production. Ms. O'Brien said "We invite our audience to use its imagination. There is no fake snow or audience participation. Instead we create a ‘magic circle' in the theatre. When the actors are INSIDE the circle, they are SHOWING you the story as it comes to life. When the actors step OUTSIDE the circle, they are TELLING you the story. Join us for our re-telling of this beloved magical classic."

Director Julia Beardsley O'Brien's NY directing credits include "The Rise of Dorothy Hale" (Assistant Director); the National Tour of "Gilligan's Island, the Musical" (assistant director); "Mad Forest" (QED Productions), "True Story Project: Faith" (Visible Theatre), and "Clucky, the Brave Little Hen" (Visible Theatre/Stone Barns Center). She has also worked as the Education Director for a non-profit theatre, a teaching artist for various organizations, and is an Off-Broadway Producer and General Manager with Jessimeg Productions.

Performances of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE begin tonight, October 22nd at 11 AM at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46th Street, west of 8th Avenue, NYC and continue through January, 2012. Running time is 45 minutes and the show is appropriate for children age six and older. For more information, visit www.narniaoffbroadway.com.