ELLSWORTH – Get ready to be transported to the magical world of Narnia in Ellsworth High School’s Spring production, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Director and middle school teacher Kimberley Catron wanted to feature something different than the plays they’ve done in the past, something that was good for all ages.

“While the play is certainly not a children's story, I believe the play (minus a few loud lion roars) is accessible to school age children,” Catron said.

C.S. Lewis’ story follows four children who find their way into the magical world of Narnia where animals talk and a wicked witch rules the land. The rightful king, Aslan the great lion, returns and with the help of the children and the forest animals reclaims the land, Catron said.

“Ultimately C.S. Lewis' story is about good overcoming evil through sacrifice and love,” she added. “I would consider this to be in the fantasy genre.”

The students started rehearsing the first day after Christmas break and have been practicing three days a week since. This production has come with some challenges but has been extremely rewarding.

“I decided that I would push myself and (motivated by Broadway's ‘The Lion King’ and ‘The Life of Pi’) decided to make Aslan a two-person puppet!” Catron said. “Aslan's voice comes from off-stage. The most rewarding, as it always is, is watching the students bring the play to life. It has been a great cast to work with, and they've fully embraced their ‘animal’ counterparts.”

Different productions always present new skills for the student to learn and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is no exception. Catron likes seeing how the kids adapt to new challenges.

“The two ladies playing Aslan have certainly had to figure out how to act the character while not speaking but having their lines spoken for them,” she said. “They also had to figure out how to walk in step with one another in the lion costume and bring a mask to life!”

Catron listed multiple “must-see” moments in the production, including the mystical castle backdrop, the fight scene, the thunderstorm and “a bit of magic that happens during it!”

Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29; doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Ellsworth High School Cafetorium (323 W. Hillcrest St.) Sunday’s matinee is at 2 p.m. with the doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first served and tickets are only sold at the door. Adults and children are $5 and children under 3 are free. Cash and checks made out to ECSD are accepted. The group will be selling concessions during intermission ($1 per item) and all proceeds will go to the Music Scholarship. 

Cast & Crew (separate box)

Cast list

Aslan’s voice: Nathan Rollins

Aslan’s puppeteer/Unicorn: Bailey Oleson

Aslan’s puppeteer/Centaur: Kaitlyn Homen

Edmund: Lily Vesely

Susan: Bre Sympson

Peter: Loralei Johnson

White Witch: Elianna Ortiz

Mr. Beaver: Bella Lee

Mrs. Beaver: Kendra Aufderhar

Mr. Tumnus: Dakota Moldenhauer

Dwarf: Eden Fritz

Fenrus Ulf/Newcomer 1: Leah Diercks

Father Christmas/Newcomer 2: Andy Schiller

Elf/Aslan Followers 2 and 4: Amelia Dopp

Aslan Followers 1 and 3: Finja Skaun

Aslan Followers 4 and 6: Neveah Peters

Army person 1: DJ Brenner

Army Person 2: Grace Hall

Crew list

Colton Hofstad: Stage crew       

Sierra McMullen: Stage crew   

Morgan Laska: Makeup/stage crew     

Emma Helgeson: Stage crew    

Maddie Maxwell: Stage crew    

Hannah Carpenter: Stage crew

Morgan Hince: Stage crew        

Esmeralda Johnson: Makeup/concessions  

Iliza Balster: Makeup/concessions      

Parker Bierbauer: Stage crew  

Logan Peterson: Stage crew      

Miles Petersen: Stage crew       

Anna Oleson: Microphones                  

Kendra Zeigler: Microphones

Jenna Early: Stage manager                    

Maggie Pechacek: Assistant stage manager      

Adam Capatske: Sound       

Lily Nauman: Spotlight

Maddi Constant: Spotlight   

Arianna Starbuck: Lights

Gavin Starbuck: Sound effects