Other Side of Narnia©

If you read my column last week (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe), you know that Narnia is a fantasyland created by author C.S. Lewis where the Wicked White Witch has made it a land that’s “Always winter but never Christmas”.

You would also know that the Perry Players Community Theater is staging the play at the Perry Theater for ten performances from August 25th through September 4th. Originally, there were only supposed to eight performances but as soon as tickets went on sale it was obvious they needed to add a couple more dates to satisfy the demand. This column is due to be published on Wednesday, but I understand all shows from here on are sold out; but just in case something changes, you could check for tickets online at: perryplayers.org/purchase-tickets

Well, where is the “Other Side of Narnia”? If you’ve seen the play you know it’s in the haunted castle where four displaced siblings are initially playing Hide ‘n Seek.

But for me personally, The Other Side of Narnia is back here in reality after having seen the play once, but more importantly having seen, at a rehearsal or two, what, goes into staging a performance like this.

I got a glimpse of that while we were watching a rehearsal and waiting on a break in activity so my wife could mend some costumes and I could put down a fresh coat of paint on the stage floor. The reason we were even there in the first place is that my eight-year-old granddaughter, Adele, is cast in the part of Lucy Pevensie in the play. What doting grandparents wouldn’t want to be there, right?!

The reason for this column is to give you a tiny glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes (pun intended), to stage a production like this with at least 35 cast members, all of whom have to be properly costumed, miked (with fresh batteries), made-up and prayed up before the curtain goes up; well actually, there is no curtain for this play, but you know what I mean.

But long before the cast arrives for their curtain call two hours before each performance begins, are the weeks and seemingly endless hours of rehearsals way past bedtime for some of the younger ones even on school nights. The one who coordinates all this talent and energy is the Director, Hanna Kemp, only twenty years old, but already seasoned with acting and directing experience and driven by a vision of exactly what she wants these performances to be for us, the audience.

Of course, backing up Hanna is the Board and Patrons of Perry Players Community Theater. But between Hanna and the cast is the Stage Manager, Annie Sinatra and Hanna’s incredible parents who take her vision for what she wants the audience to experience and converts the entire theater environment into the magic that is “Disneyesk”, if you’ll let me coin a word. That includes backdrops, waterfalls, puppets, 3-D props, cast costumes and countless other minute details. Kudos to Chris and Lucy Kemp for bringing all this to life behind the scenes of Narnia. Oh, I didn’t mean to leave out the nine or so members of the Artistic Team and Crew and the other twenty plus backup members who do everything from Special effects, lighting, graphic design, videography, publicity, ushering and I’m sure I left out several other team members that make it all come together.

By the way, did I say none of these folks are paid? Nope, they’re all volunteers because they love theater and they love bringing this wonderful art form to Perry and the whole Middle Georgia community. Thanks to each of you for your contribution to making life better for the rest of us… and for mentoring our granddaughter in her first, but I hope not last, on-stage drama experience.

If you go to see the play, be sure you understand who Aslan the Lion represents and the gift He is offering to you!

Thanks for reading All About Seniors… see you next week!

Bill Milby is a Director of Visiting Angels® of Central Georgia, a non-medical, living assistance service for seniors. If you have questions or comments about this column you can reach him at william.mercylink@gmail.com or search for us at https://www.facebook.com/VisitingAngelsofCentralGA/

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