Charlotte's Web
Adapted by Joseph Robinette
Larry Clark Summer Rep, 2024
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After experimenting with a virtual Charlotte's Web in the Summer of 2020, The Larry Clark Summer Repertory Theatre breathed new life into E.B. White's beloved tale with an in-person traveling production of the play in the Summer of 2024.
We were able to take our performance of Charlotte's Web to a number of community organizations including Big Brothers Big Sister Columbia, The Daniel Boone Regional Library, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia.
We enjoyed all the moments of audience interaction, especially taking pictures with the kids who saw the show. The puppets from the 2020 production even made an appearance!
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Sadly, we were not able to take pictures with the audience after our last show. One of our actors tested positive for COVID-19 that morning. Luckily, we had a plan in place and our understudy was able to go on for the final performance.
Director's Note
What does community mean to me? This is the question that has guided my engagement with Charlotte’s Web over the years. In the summer of 2020 I had the privilege and challenge of directing E.B. White’s beloved story for the first time. Through our virtual spaces we grappled with not only what it meant to come together to create theatre from different parts of the country amidst global pandemics of disease and violence, but what it really meant to invest in the creation of a community that might withstand crisis. It is through Charlotte’s Web that I have learned what it means to center collective well-being. Through watching Charlotte advocate for Wilbur’s life by weaving words in her web, even when she is exhausted. Through Wilbur’s determination in saving Charlotte’s egg sac because he see’s how important it is to her. I see it in Fern uplifting Wilbur’s inherent value even when the other humans make fun of her. Or when the barn animals band together to shield Charlotte. I also saw it in our rehearsal room when rides were offered to each other after rehearsals. And when more food was quietly added to our community garden so that every one could feel nourished on a budget through the rehearsal process. I saw it in the kind words shared between cast members and in the exchanging of stories and knowledge during our daily check-ins. I saw it in the way the understudies continually stepped up when other cast members had emergencies. I saw it during the first week of rehearsal when we were attacked by cicadas on our way to get ice cream and despite our fears, we stayed together so nobody had to brave the walk alone. We faced adversities far more challenging than the cicadas during the rehearsal process, but we made it through because this Charlotte’s Web team forged a community that nourishes, uplifts, and grows together. This is the kind of community that I know the world needs more of. I am thankful to E.B. White’s story for bringing us together in the spirit of community, and I am thankful that you, the audience, are here to celebrate this story with us.