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'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' opens at Playhouse

'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" plays through Sunday at the Playhouse. [PHOTO BY SCOTT TREADWAY/Treadshots]

By Bill Moss, Published: November 9, 2019

Flat Rock Playhouse’s youth production The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe brings an unforgettable journey of family, bravery and faith to the Leiman Mainstage through Nov. 17.

C.S. Lewis’s moving story tale begins with Lucy, Susan, Edmund, and Peter arriving in the countryside to escape the dangers of WWII. One rainy afternoon, during an innocent game of hide and seek, they discover a magical wardrobe that transports them to the incredible fantasy land of Narnia. Trapped in eternal winter by the White Witch, Narnia and its inhabitants are lost. The children must come together and stand up to evil if Narnia is ever to see goodness and light again.

“The Lion-Wardrobe is one of the best adventure-stories out there, both on stage and in rehearsal," said Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant, who directs the Studio 52 show. "It's a gift to have whole families participate and watch young people tackle material, characters, and huge themes, like good vs. evil. Our cast includes young children to adults, and it’s inspiring to see them explore this epic tale together. Audiences will not be disappointed when they see the cast’s dedicated work reflected in the performance.”
More than 100 people auditioned resulting in a cast of 61 ranging in age from 6 to 65 from 47 families and representing Etowah Elementary, Atkinson Elementary, Fern Leaf, TC Roberson High School, Flat Rock Middle, Hendersonville Middle, Hendersonville Elementary, West Hendersonville High, Glen Arden Elementary, Clear Creek Elementary, Liberty University Online, IC Imagine, Rugby Middle School, Glenn Marlow Middle, Asheville Middle, Bunbury Institute for Higher Learning, Hillandale Elementary, Bruce Drysdale, East Henderson High, Mountain Community Elementary, Polk Middle, Vance Elementary and French Broad River Academy.

The cast includes Mitch Corn (Aslan), Kyra Hewitt (White Witch), Ivy Rose Voloshin (Lucy), Xavier Cacanindia and Asher Holmberg (Double Cast: Edmund), Kaitlyn Gilliam and Jacey Bergman (Double Cast: Susan), AJ Hernandez and Landon Pierron (Double Cast: Peter), Ashby Knox (Mr. Beaver), Nora Novak (Mrs. Beaver), Lallie Beth Weymouth (Unicorn), Campbell Hodge (Centaur), Rebekah Byrd (Tumnus), Joseph Sherer and Abigail Byrd (Double Cast: Fenris Ulf), Zoe Corbin and Jonah Jakubielski (Double Cast: Dwarf), Rick Huhn (Father Christmas), Emme Tilden and Eleanor Beasley (Double Cast: Elf), Nicole Johanson (White Stag). The White Witch Army includes: Noelle Crist, Jennie Corn, Layla Zeferino, Cade Edwards, Cally Edwards, Savannah Edwards, Kathryn Beasley, Parker Beasley, Adah Beasley, Sonia Arnold, Jude Stipe, Maggie Dotti, Suzannah Best, Carly Greene, Chloe Byrd, Chloe Belle, Ariana Wood, Ema Taylor, Carly Corn, Lindsay Hall, Ella Oursler, and Gabby Towne. Aslan’s Followers include: Ashton Beiler, Henry Knox, Brian Maximov, Layla Hildenbrand, David Larson, Silas Larson, Chiara Ball, Mae Hodge, Eva Fiddner, Eva Groover, Evah Polis, Ava Leigh Manderson, Colbie Corn, Autumn Beiler, Riley Washbern, Jackson Laufer, Catherine Laufer, and Sophia Larsen.

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Performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $14-28 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-737-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.