EVERETT – The Northwest Savoyards and Debut Family Theater have a winner in “Narnia,” a musical adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia,” seven books of religious allegory embedded in an adventure story.
“Narnia” springs from the pages of Jules Tasca’s book, and features lyrics by Ted Drachman and music by Thomas Tierney.
Its musical selections are buoyantly performed by a cast that includes many children and young adults. Harriet Saunders deserves kudos for her astute direction. The Savoyards Festival Orchestra, under the direction of Kathy Nydegger, comes through with flying colors. Its trio of musicians features Tom Mayes on bass, Ken Walker/Andrew St. Marie on keyboard, and Austin Wiegand on percussion.
The story of “Narnia” is set in 1940s England, where four siblings have been scuttled for their safety out of war-torn London to Marbleton Manor. The children are Susan (Lisa Thiroux), Peter (Tim Brandt), Lucy (Marianna Wilson) and Edmund (Isaac Bond). When they wander unwittingly into an enchanted wardrobe closet, they encounter the magical land of Narnia.
It is here that the creative talents of the extensive Savoyards scene shop crew and costumer Jeannette Carpenter are displayed to great effect. There’s a mystical forest inhabited by the evil White Witch (Sharon Lone-Browder), cackling dwarves, sinister trees, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver (Matt Lovell and Sharon Delong), centaurs, satyrs, reindeer, horned creatures, winged beasts, wood nymph and assorted other forest critters. There’s the faun Tumnus (Jono Lee). There’s even Father Christmas (Bob Wright). And last but not least there’s the keeper of all good, Aslan (played with rich baritone by Scott Severson).
Highlights from the show’s musical numbers include Act 1’s “Turkish Delight” (in which White Witch employs deception in order to win over Edmund), and Witch’s jazzy anthem “Hot and Bothered.”
White Witch’s world is one of endless cold and snow. But with the return of Aslan, spring crocuses appear and the world warms its heart. Act 1 ends on a wistful yet hopeful note, remembering Aslan’s realm in “Cair Paravel.”
As Act 2 begins, White Witch refuses to give in to Aslan. “I command a blizzard!” she roars, vowing to kill Edmund as the company launches into “Murder Today.”
Edmund’s siblings find him just in the nick of time. While Susan just wants to go home, Peter tells her they must stay to fulfill a prophecy.
In “From the Inside Out,” Aslan teaches Edmund the wisdom of how best to turn his life around. From there, Edmund is indeed transformed, from bratty brother to sweet sibling.
The Pevensie children grieve the seemingly deceased Aslan in “A Field of Flowers.” They carry the lion aloft, then take up the weapons Father Christmas gave them. Susan the pacifist cries, “I can’t believe this is happening,” then blows the horn that will resurrect Aslan.
The cast celebrates Aslan’s rebirth in the numbers “Catch Me If You Can” and “To Make the World Right Again.”
This is a show that’s full of lovely and touching melodies, intoned with earnest and sweet delivery by the Northwest Savoyard chorus.
Northwest Savoyards photo
Lucy (Marianna Wilson), Peter (Tim Brandt), Susan (Lisa Thiroux) and Edmund (Isaac Bond) are transported to a magical land in “Narnia” at the PUD Auditorium in Everett.
“Narnia”: 7 p.m. today and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, PUD Auditorium, 2320 California, Everett; $12, $10 students, senior and military, $8 ages 8 and younger; 425-303-8902.
Review
“Narnia”: 7 p.m. today and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, PUD Auditorium, 2320 California, Everett; $12, $10 students, senior and military, $8 ages 8 and younger; 425-303-8902.
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