Charlotte's Web at ETSU

            Last week, I was able to see a production of Charlotte’s Web by the East Tennessee State University Theatre and Dance Department in the Bud Frank Theatre on campus. This production told the classic story of Wilbur the Pig in a new and creative fashion that left the audience in constant excitement for what was coming next.

            The costumes for this play were slightly different than what I was expecting because they did not give the characters the normal animalistic attributes that I normally think of when I picture the play in production. Even so, this lack of animalistic characteristics actually gave the animals a more humanistic feel that made the major points of the play easier to connect to.

            This play also incorporated aerial dance in the characterization of both Charlotte and her children. I was originally curious as to how the department would pull of this character, and was pleasantly surprised to see that this was the form that that they had chosen. Witnessing the tricks and flips that she performed both on the metal web frame and the silk materials hanging from the top of the stage, left the entire audience in awe. Not only was the dancing pulled off flawlessly, but her speaking/acting portions were not in the least hindered by the extra strength she had to put into the acrobatics. Witnessing this performance was awe-inspiring on its very own, only adding to the production.

            The cast for this play did a fantastic job of keeping the audience enthralled throughout the entire production. One actor in particular was my favorite to watch simply because he played 4 roles that never ceased to get a laugh (the actor playing Homer Zuckerman, Uncle the pig, a narrator, and the rooster). It was very obvious that the cast enjoyed what they were doing and wanted to share this joyous experience that they were having with everyone else.

            Overall, this production was a pleasure to see. The ETSU Theatre and Dance Department earned every laugh and applause they were given, along with so much more. It was evident that a lot of hard work and passion had been put into this production and it made me excited to see what they decide to perform next semester.