York Little Theatre Presents CHARLOTTE'S WEB, Now thru 6/10

York Little Theatre will bring E. B. White's classic, beloved novel, Charlotte's Web, to life on the YLT mainstage, tonight, June 1 through June 10.  Considered the best-selling children's paperback of all time, it tells the memorable story of Wilbur, a runty barnyard pig who is nursed to good health by The Farmer's daughter only to discover he will become the Christmas Ham.  Charlotte, his dear friend the spider, spins an elaborate web to save his life and he becomes the prize-winning pig of the County Fair, the most famous pig ever.  The beautiful story is filled with love, laughter, and delight and is bound by the lessons of friendship, loyalty and truth.

 The production is directed by Tim Storey who is very familiar with this show.  "The second show I ever was involved with as a little kid was this same version of Charlotte's Web, produced at YLT in 1994," explains Storey. "I played a baby spider, a gosling, and was in the chorus."  Storey did the same show again in 2003, where he played the fair announcer and served as stage manager.  "Directing Charlotte's Web for me is very exciting," he adds. "I can now bring my vision of the show to life."

"This will be an unusual theatre experience," says Storey.  "At this production we offer audiences a unique opportunity to get involved."  He is talking about the County Fair atmosphere which will be created at the theatre. Audiences will be invited to participate in an on-stage Pie-Eating Contest every intermission, sponsored by Brown's Orchards. In addition, both Saturdays, from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m., audiences can experience the Animal Learning Center presented by York County 4H featuring a variety of live animal guests.  Sno-cones and popcorn will be available for an extra treat. "Most of the time when you go to a show you hand in your ticket, sit down, grab a snack at intermission, sit down again, and go home.  We are offering an experience which really makes you feel like you are at the fair."

The cast of Charlotte's Web features 28 local performers from age 4 – 50, including Richard Gonzales as Wilbur the pig; Michelle O'Connell as Charlotte the spider, Zach DePorter as Templeton the rat, Ava Markel as Fern, and Scot Dinneen as Avery.   "This is my first time directing children," says Storey. "It definitely has some different challenges, but this cast is absolutely fantastic.  I couldn't have a better group of actors to work with-it's a great mix of new as well as experienced performers."

The production team includes Phil Rooney, Assistant Director; Samantha Hyson, Stage Manager; Bob McCleary, Set Design and Technical Director; Lynn Pierro, Costume Design; and Steve Hoke, Lighting Design.  "One of the things I'm most excited about is our climbable web," says Storey. "Most productions build something like an 8' triangular web that Charlotte can stand in front of.  We will have a workable web, which will really make our production unique."

Charlotte's Web is sponsored by Fulton Bank and Hill Street Veterinary Hospital, Media Sponsor Flipsidepa.com, and runs June 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 7:00 p.m. and June 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 3:00 p.m.  All tickets are $10, reserved, and group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased at www.ylt.org or 854-5715, from 11 - 5 weekdays.   

York Little Theatre, now enjoying its 79th season of shows, is a nonprofit community theatre which values and nurtures the irreplaceable role of the arts and is dedicated to engaging and enriching its entire, diverse community in the dramatic arts through a broad range of professionally directed, entertaining, stimulating, and sometimes provocative performances.   York Little Theatre is located at 27 South Belmont Street, York PA, just south of Market Street at the intersection of I83.