Bright Life Players' next production starts March 11
Daniel Hostetler, left, as Peter, Melody Steiner (Lucy), Deah Bresson (Susan) and Nehemiah Broome (Edmund) are all part of the cast of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," which will be presented by Bright Life Players starting March 11.
Beginning March 11, Bright Life Players will present "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," dramatized by Joseph Robinette from the story by C.S. Lewis.
The show will be presented Friday, March 17 and Saturdays, March 11 and 18 at 7 p.m. and Sundays, March 12 and 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the First Church of God, 1953 Akron Road, Wooster.
"This dramatization of C.S. Lewis' classic work faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia," said Maggie Leatherman, the play's director and one of the founders of the theater company.
The cast of 40 contains actors that range from fourth-grade students to adults. Many of them have appeared in previous Bright Life Players' productions. A few others are new to acting with this show. The cast hails from several local communities including Orrville, Wooster, Dalton, Creston, Seville, Smithville and Apple Creek.
The show's production crew consists of people who have worked with the players for the past several years, along with parents of children in the cast.
Leatherman said all the excitement and charm of the story will be found in this stage production.
"The intense action features chases, duels and escapes as the witch is determined to keep Narnia in her possession and to end the reign of Aslan," Leatherman said. "All the memorable episodes from the story are represented in this exciting dramatization: the temptation of Edmund by the witch, the slaying of the evil wolf by Peter, the witnessing of Aslan's resurrection by Susan and Lucy, the crowing of the four new rulers of Narnia and more."
The supporting characters also are all present: the unicorn, the centaur and other forest animals, along with Father Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, and Tumnus the Faun.
"This story of love, faith, courage and giving, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life," Leatherman said.
Bright Life Players was founded in 2016 and produces two shows each year. Leatherman, along with 12 other individuals, founded the nonprofit group in order to provide family-friendly entertainment based on Christian beliefs. With each production the company chooses a charity to support with the proceeds.
For this production all proceeds after costs will go to Safe Harbor. "Safe Harbor is a new project in Holmes County that will be constructed to house young girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking," Leatherman said. "There they can live, finish school, get counseling, et cetera."
Find Safe Harbor at www.safeharborohio.org.
Bright Life Players is always in need of volunteers. Volunteer tasks include working on publicity, set design and construction, costumes, and running lights and sound. There is a volunteer form available on the company's website. Cash donations also may be made online or by mailing a check to Bright Life Players, 2171 Leatherman Blvd., Wooster, OH 44691.
Tickets, which may be purchased at the door or online, are $11 for adults and $8 for age 12 and under. A family four-pack of tickets is $32.
Find Bright Life Players at www.brightlifeplayers.org.