Jara Jones Joins THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

Off-Broadway Family Theatre announced that Jara Jones has replaced RoBert Gilbert in its well-received inaugural production of C.S. Lewis' "THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE". The production opened October 22, 2011 and continues to play on Saturdays at 11 AM at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46th Street (west of 8th Avenue), NYC.

Jara Jones will take over the roles of Peter, Aslan and others. His other recent stage credits include: Pageant Princess, Home and Richard III. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Jara is also a poet/singer/songwriter and his work appears on his site: Odes and Nonsense (www.21stcenturynonsense.blogspot.com ) Catherine Fowles, who will continue to play Lucy, White Witch and others, has appeared Off-Broadway in The Boychick Affair. Her other stage credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Chorus Line, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, La Cage Aux Folles, Anything Goes, Crazy for You, How to Succeed..., and The Sound of Music.

In this inventive and highly theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis's beloved tale from the Chronicles of Narnia, two actors play eight characters, both human and animal. Through the magic of theatre, we travel to Narnia through the old wardrobe with the four Pevensie children, and get swept into their journey to stand with the great lion Aslan against the evil White Witch. As the children battle the forces of evil they discover that Love is the deepest magic of all.

As dramatized by le Clanché du Rand, the two actors play children, beavers, fauns, wicked witches and mythic lions, all under the direction of Julia Beardsley O'Brien. Set and lighting design is by Josh Iacovelli with costumes and masks by Tom Long.

Off-Broadway Family Theatre provides quality theatrical
experiences for family audiences by presenting both new and classic plays targeted towards children while still appealing to adults. "THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE" is its inaugural production. Ms. O'Brien said "We invite our audience to use its imagination. There is no fake snow or audience participation. Instead we create a 'magic circle' in the theatre. When the actors are INSIDE the circle, they are SHOWING you the story as it comes to life. When the actors step OUTSIDE the circle, they are TELLING you the story. Join us for our re-telling of this beloved magical classic."

Director Julia Beardsley O'Brien's NY directing credits include "The Rise of Dorothy Hale" (Assistant Director); the National Tour of
"Gilligan's Island, the Musical" (assistant director); "Mad Forest" (QED
Productions), "True Story Project: Faith" (Visible Theatre), and "Clucky, the Brave Little Hen" (Visible Theatre/Stone Barns Center). She has also worked as the Education Director for a non-profit theatre, a teaching artist for various organizations, and is an Off-Broadway Producer and General Manager with Jessimeg Productions.

Performances of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe began October 22nd at 11 AM at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46th Street, west of 8th Avenue, NYC. Tickets at $35 are available through www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200. Running time is 45 minutes and the show is appropriate for children age five and older. For more information, visit www.narniaoffbroadway.com.

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