Charlotte’s Web

Play (1983)
Adapted by Joseph Robinette
Based on the book Charlotte’s Web (1952) by E.B. White
Directed by Ilyse Robbins
Wheelock Family Theatre
The Riverway, Boston
April 3-26, 2026

With Anna Slate (Charlotte), Janelle Grace (Mr. Arable, Gander, Judge), David Jiles Jr. (Mr. Zuckerman, Sheep, Uncle), Anna (AK) Kovaz (Fern), Malik Mitchell (Wilbur), Gray Oliveira (Avery, Photographer). Tader Shipley (Mrs. Arable, Goose, Judge), Lisa Tucker (Lurvy, Templeton, Announcer at the Fair); Baby Spiders ad Goslings: Audrey Awad, Meira Belenky, Chava Belenky, Claire Castro, Bennett Cirasuolo, Skylenis Cruz, Josie Mishelle Dixon, Eloise Doré, Ramona “Momo” McCloskey Feller, Miriam FitzGerald, Naima FitzGerald, Emmett Gibbons, Richey Gibbons, Zoie Gibbons, Sloane Viola Goodnight, Zora Laurent, Maia Martinez-Kratzig, Charlie McGovern, Orla McKinnon, Nora Rejman, Pippa June Roderick, Golden Snape, Thomas Tedaldi, Clare Warren, Sam Weed, Addie Williams, Chelsea Xu

Wilbur (Malik Mitchell) is born a runt and is destined to be done away with by Mr. Arable (Janelle Grace), but his benevolent daughter Fern (Anna [AK] Kovaz) steps in and argues that the little pig can prevail. A solution is found in sending the pig, which Fern names Wilbur, to Mr. Zuckerman’s (David Jiles Jr.) nearby farm where Fern can visit him. The pig gets strong and develops a strong relationship with Charlotte (Anna Slate), a spider who lives in his barn. The amazing Charlotte not only takes a great liking to Wilbur, but, when the time comes, decides to write various laudatory things about him in her web. These become a famous emblem of Wilbur’s wonders, and, when the county fair comes, Charlotte hops on board and continues her literary exploits in Wilbur’s favor. Though he does not win the all-out prize at the fair, he is given special mention, largely due to Charlotte’s plaudits. The cranky but entertaining rat, Templeton (Lisa Tucker), also goes along for the ride, offering sarcastic supplemental banter to Charlotte’s benevolent raptures. All is good, and Fern’s noble advocacy for the puny Wilbur, along with Charlotte’s ingeniously creative ways of supporting him, make for a wonderful and heroic tale. But, of course, Charlotte is just a spider, and soon-to-be mother of hundreds of spiderettes, she looks towards her own demise. Asking Wilbur to watch over her progeny gives her peace as she faces the inevitable.

This simply produced, but charming, adaptation of the great children’s book by E.B. White offers a lot to entertain children and their adult companions.

In the title role, Anna Slate offers a truly warm and graceful presence, filling out the wise spider’s repertoire with a full repertoire of elegantly flowing gestures. In her dark outfit and black cap, she fills the bill with gentility and aplomb, and most appropriately reveals her eloquent and industrious character with a deeply wise and resplendent sigh that conveys nature’s ever wondrous opportunities and destinies.

As Fern, Anna (AK) Kovaz is lively and assertive, making for a well-drawn advocate for poor little Wilbur’s life. As Wilbur, Malik Mitchell is full of moves and loveable squeals and makes a man-sized pig come to life with boyish charm. And as Homer Zuckerman, David Jiles Jr does an admirable job of holding down the farm and providing, with a big heart, the place for a small runty pig to flourish.

As always, the multicultural casting which Wheelock has pioneered since its inception over forty years ago, has shown its strengths, particularly in the post Hamilton era during which such casting has become far more commonplace. But how wise and prescient were the founders of Wheelock Family Theatre, Susan Kosoff and Jane Staab, all those years ago, to bring this varied, thoughtful and interesting casting to the forefront of children’s theater.

Ilyse Robbins is a wonderful director and choreographer. Here, in bits and snatches, one gets the evidence of her excellent choreography; though not at all pronounced, it shows itself in a few moves by the many baby spiders and the family of geese and goslings, and sometimes when Malik Mitchell gets to let loose as Wilbur. One indeed wishes more from such a great choreographer, but this is a children’s play with many children in it, and though there is some piano music in the background, this is not a musical per se.

At the very end, the stage is filled with a troupe of delightfully enthusiastic child spiders, a real crowd pleaser, and a great youthful salve to the life lesson of Charlotte’s inevitable passing.

The barnyard set is simple and straightforward but serves its purpose quite well.

Apparently, this is about the fourth time that Wheelock Family Theatre has produced this play over its forty year tenure. (I happened to sit next to a seasoned staff member of the theater who showed me programs from all of those productions!)

Overall: Straightforward, simple, and to the point, a nicely jovial and touching production for kids and their parents, bringing its narrative’s gentle wisdom forward in an uncomplicated but thoughtful way.

– BADMan (aka Charles Munitz)