Mansfield Playhouse offers work of author C.S. Lewis for different sort of holiday fare

The Mansfield Playhouse is offering something different for the holidays.

For the next two weekends, the work of C.S. Lewis will be featured in "The Magician's Nephew."

"It's not really a Christmas show to speak of, but it's a nice family show," said Doug Wertz, the Playhouse's artistic director. "It tells the story of how the evil queen Jadis ends up in Narnia."

The play is based on the book by C.S. Lewis. A British writer and lay theologian, Lewis penned more than 30 books. He is best known for the books that make up "The Chronicles of Narnia."

In "The Magician's Nephew," young Digory and his friend Polly, using magic rings created by Digory’s uncle, set forth on a series of magical adventures through mythical kingdoms and enchanted lands.

In the travels, they encounter Queen Jadis and awaken her from her enchanted sleep, unleashing the power of evil. Attempting to acquire the healing apple for Digory’s sick mother, the heroic children unintentionally bring Jadis’ evil into Narnia.

"She wants the power in a new world," Wertz said. "She killed everyone in her world."

Narnia features talking animals

In this land of talking animals, there are miraculous happenings as good battles against evil and Digory struggles to return home to cure his ailing mother.

"It's a neat story," Wertz said. "It's a fantasy-science fiction type of mix. It's something different."

Abby Shewan, a senior at Mansfield Christian, plays Jadis. She has performed in two other Playhouse productions, most recently in "Mowana Jr."

She jumped at the chance to be in "The Magician's Nephew."

"I grew up reading 'The Chronicles of Narnia,''' Shewan said. "It's my childhood."

She said she got to stretch as an actress by playing Queen Jadis.

"She is someone that does not really reflect me at all. It is very fun," Shewan said.

The high-schooler said she has grown from this experience. Shewan plans to major in theater in college and hopes to come back to the Playhouse to direct plays.

Uncle Andrew's interest in magic causes trouble

Playhouse veteran John Moser, who most recently appeared in "A Christmas Story" plays Uncle Andrew. Moser noted he usually does only one show a year.

He is the magician.

"He is eccentric, fascinated with the occult, and he gets himself into trouble with that interest," Moser said. "His experiments into the unknown were the source of all that trouble."

Wertz added, "Uncle Andrew was given a box of fine dust. He made magic rings that can transport you to another world.

"Uncle Andrew talks Digory and Polly into exploring the new worlds."

Caroline Stefaniuk plays Polly. The 10-year-old is a student at St. Edward's School in Ashland.

"I saw the movies and I read one of the books," Caroline said of the "Narnia" series.

She has been acting since the age of 5. In "The Magician's Nephew," Caroline gets to act alongside her brother Wesley, who portrays Digory. Wesley missed the first night of tech week because of illness.

"Polly is Digory's best friend," Caroline said. "She's pretty scared with all the stuff going on. She likes Digory, but she doesn't really trust him sometimes."

Returning to stage after five-year absence

Kristy Hergatt is making her return to the stage after a five-year absence. She plays Aunt Letty.

"It's a little nerve-racking," she said.

Hergatt tried out because her kids were auditioning. In the last few years, she has been behind the scenes, handling music direction and lights.

She home-schools her children and has read the "Narnia" books with them.

Of her character, Hergatt describes Aunt Letty has "a little bossy."

"She yells up the stairs a lot and goes upstairs to see what all the noise is about," Hergatt said.

A number of children are cast as animals in "The Magician's Nephew." They are the inhabitants of Narnia.

Regarding COVID-19 guidelines, Wertz said he recommends that patrons wear masks, but they are not required.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

If you go

What: "The Magician's Nephew"

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 12.

Where: Mansfield Playhouse, 95 E. Third St.

Cost: $13 for general admission, $12 for seniors, $8 for students.

More information: Visit mansfieldplayhouse.com or call 419-522-2883. The box office is open from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and one hour before shows.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield Playhouse to present work of C.S. Lewis for holiday season