As part of Arden Children's Theatre, Arden Theatre Company presents The Borrowers, an adaptation of the beloved children's novel by Mary Norton, who also penned the classic story Bedknobs and Broomsticks . The Borrowers will be on stage December 1, 2010-January 30, 2011.
The Borrowers follows Arietty Clock, a typical tween yearning to experience the grownup world. Only difference? She and her tiny family live on doll house furniture under the floorboards. When their home is discovered, they are forced into the giant universe outside and Arrietty gets a bigger adventure than she bargained for. Children of all ages will relate to Arietty's struggle between parents and independence, safety and discovery. The play also explores the definition of home, as the Clocks' story parallels those of displaced families bravely making a new life in an unfamiliar setting.
"Arden Children's Theatre has become a cornerstone of our programming," says Terrence J. Nolen, Arden's producing artistic director. "We are thrilled thousands of families have made the Arden a treasured holiday tradition. Like many of these past productions, The Borrowers is based on a beloved series of children's books, bringing to life the Arden's mission to tell great stories by great storytellers - for all ages."Whit MacLaughlin, director of The Borrowers, has directed multiple award-winning Arden Children's Theatre shows, most recently, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, which was nominated for four 2010 Barrymore Awards. The Borrowers presents a new theatrical challenge, which excites MacLaughlin. "We're attempting to make the big and small coexist on the stage for this adventure story," he says. "The script demands we shift the scale back and forth, and we'll use a variety of techniques -shadows, puppets, an ominous musical score - to make the audience feel what it is to be tiny in a massive world." Both MacLaughlin's productions of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Roald Dahl's The BFG experimented with scale, and the design team for The Borrowers will work with MacLaughlin to represent a world for characters just five inches tall.
The Arden commits the same resources to theatre productions for families as their main stage work, especially by hiring the same designers and actors. The creative team tasked with creating a world both big and small includes set designer Lewis Folden (2003 Barrymore nomination for The Boxcar Children), lighting designer Drew Billiau (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie), costume designer Rosemarie E. McKelvey (2010 Barrymore nomination for Sunday in the Park with George, 2009 Barrymore Award for Something Intangible), and sound designer Nathan A. Roberts (Ferdinand the Bull) and puppet designer Aaron Cromie (The BFG, A Prayer for Owen Meany)..
Recommended for families with children ages five and older, every performance of The Borrowers includes a post-show question and answer session with the cast, an opportunity to meet the actors in the lobby after the performance, and a free commemorative show poster for all kids. This production is sponsored by PECO.
The Borrowers begins performances on Wednesday, December 1, with previews through December 4. Opening night is set for 7pm Saturday, December 4. Closing is set for Sunday, January 30, 2011.
Single ticket prices are $16-$32, with discounted ticket prices for kids and teens. Groups of 20+ enjoy significant discounts, with additional resources and classes available for teachers; please inquire for rates. Call the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122, order online at www.ardentheatre.org, or visit the box office at 40 N. 2nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia.
Arden Theatre Company also offers Arden Drama School, a wide array of classes and day camps for pre-school through high school aged children. Classes focused on The Borrowers include:The Arden is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices and large-print programs at every performance. Reservations are required for accessible seating and may be made by calling the Arden's Box Office at 215.922.1122. ASL interpreted performances will be held Saturday, January 15 at 12pm and Tuesday, January 25 at 10:30am
WHAT: The Borrowers
By Mary Norton
Adapted for the stage by Charles Way
Directed by Whit MacLaughlin
SUMMARY: Meet Arrietty. She's your typical tween yearning to experience the grownup world. Only difference? She and her tiny family live on doll house furniture under the floorboards. When their home is discovered, they are forced into the giant universe outside and Arrietty gets a bigger adventure than she bargained for.
WHERE: Arden Theatre Company
F. Otto Haas Stage
40 N. 2nd Street, Old City Philadelphia 19106
WHEN: December 1, 2010 - January 30, 2011
Preview performances: December 1 - December 5
Opening night: 7pm Saturday, December 4, 2010
TICKETS: Call the Box Office at 215.922.1122 or visit www.ardentheatre.org
Weekday Performances (Tuesday - Friday, including Friday nights)
Adults: $30; Teens (13-17 yrs): $20; Kids (12 yrs and under): $16
Weekend Performances (Saturdays and Sundays)Groups discounts for 20 or more tickets. Weekdays: $12/ticket; Weekends $16/ticket
Arden Children's Theatre subscriptions are available for $26 - $40, which includes tickets to both The Borrowers and The Flea and the Professor.
CAST:
Scott Boulware (Resident of Conshohocken, PA) Pod
Delanté G. Keys (Resident of Herndon, VA) The Boy/Uncle Hendreary
Bi Jean Ngo (Resident of Philadelphia, PA) Arrietty
Steve Pacek (Resident of Philadelphia, PA) Crampfurl, Spiller, Gypsy, Boy, Eggletina
Catharine Slusar (Resident of Philadelphia, PA) Homily
Jo Twiss (Resident of Bristol, PA) Mrs. Driver, Aunt Lupy
ARTISTIC STAFF:
Whit MacLaughlin Director
Lewis Folden Set Designer
Rosemarie E. McKelvey Costume Designer
Drew Billiau Lighting Designer
Nathan A. Roberts Sound Designer
Aaron Cromie Puppet Designer
Stephanie Cook Stage Manager
PRODUCTION SPONSORS PECO
Community Partner Target
Opening Night Sponsors Harmelin Media, Catering By Design, Franklin Fountain, Hatboro Beverages, Whipped Bakeshop
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