By Meochia Nochi Thompson
WKTV Community Writer
The Potter’s House Elementary and Junior High School fourth- through eighth-grade students “did it again” with a successful production of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” directed by Janae K. Dean, founder and director of Children’s Creations! The dramatization was a reenactment of the C.S. Lewis’ classic, part of the Chronicles of Narnia.
“This is a story of love, faith, courage and giving…it is a true celebration of life,” as stated in the story’s synopsis.
The magical journey and mysterious tale of good versus evil takes place in Narnia where the great lion, Aslan (Jacob Caballero), protects all the innocent creatures of the land from the cruel White Witch (Shaelia Hoeksema), who threatens to overthrow the kingdom unless the prophecy is fulfilled. Four unsuspecting siblings, Lucy (Sofia Brinkerhoff); Susan (Abigail Ponstine); Edmund (Kayler Erazo) and Peter (Malachi Verwys), happen to wander upon an old wardrobe and find themselves in the middle of a life changing adventure that leads to their true life’s purpose.
Every detail from the costumes and makeup to the set design, lighting and sound were meticulously, phenomenal for such a young group.
“I wanted to do some unique and creative things with the hair and makeup this year,” said Director Janae Dean. “I shared my vision with family and friends of the cast and received some fantastic help from many people who made the vision a reality.”
Although the school year had plenty of snow days, the absences did not stop the entire cast from displaying expert acting skills and teamwork. They managed to memorize hours of lines with superb English accents that never faltered. There were very few slip-ups to the trained ear the first public performance but nothing apparently noticeable to the excited elementary school students and parents amazed by the characters and further intrigued by a great rendition of a story very well done.
