News and Events

Columbine Players to Open Oregon Season with Charlotte's Web

June 27, 2000

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- "Charlotte's Web," a delightful children's show about an extraordinary spider determined to save her friend Wilbur the pig from the farmer's ax, will open at Joseph's Theatre on Main Street Wednesday, July 5, as the premiere for The Columbine Players' Oregon season.

In true repertory style, the summer stock theater company from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., will follow Wednesday's premiere with a Thursday performance of the melodrama "Under Two Flags," a Friday performance of the romantic comedy "Sylvia," and a Saturday performance of "See How They Run," a theatrical farce.

Curtain time for all plays is 7:30 p.m. Tickets, which will be sold at the door, are $8 for adults; $7 for senior citizens; and $4 for children under 12 years old. Special ticket prices for "Charlotte's Web" are $4 for children; $5 for all others.

The Columbine Players will perform through Aug. 19. The schedule is as follows:

  • "Charlotte's Web," E.B. White's classic tale: July 5, 12, 19; Aug. 2, 9, 16.

  • "Under Two Flags," a traditional melodrama about love, abandonment, despair and life in the Foreign Legion: July 6, 13, 20; Aug. 3, 10, 17.

  • "Sylvia," a dizzy romantic comedy about a man, his wife and the dog that comes between them: July 7, 14, 21; Aug. 4, 11, 18.

  • "See How They Run," a theatrical farce that makes the most of false assumptions and strange situations at the vicar's house: July 8, 15, 22; Aug. 5, 12, 19.

    In addition to performing, members of the Columbine Players build sets, work lighting and get experience in all aspects of theater, said Deborah Holmes, Whitman professor of theatre and director of the Columbine Players. This year's company includes Whitman students Anne Ashby, Emily Doe, Hannah Goalstone, John Hand, Jimmy Maize, Bill Novack, Kate Ratcliffe, Kevin Rittner and Steve Unckles, and Donald Carson, a returning actor from Columbine's first season.

    Holmes directs "Charlotte's Web" and "Sylvia"; professor of theatre, emeritus, Jack Freimann, of New York, directs "See How They Run"; and Tom Smith, a Whitman alum and a director at Creed Repertory in New Mexico, directs "Under Two Flags," which he has adapted from the work of Louise de la Ramee.

    CONTACT:

    Lenel Parish, Whitman College News Service, (509) 527-5156
    Email: parishlj@whitman.edu