by Noella Noelophile®
This evening is IT–the first of Long Beach Shakespeare Company‘s “Charlotte’s Web Radio Style” performances!
And they’re having both an in-person show, and a live stream on their YouTube channel, at 8:00 this evening.
Were E.B. White’s beloved spider “Charlotte” around, she might say that Long Beach Shakespeare Company is “SOME TROUPE”. She might even admit that they’re “TERRIFIC”.
And I can’t wait to see what they’ll do with the classic story of the kindly spider, wide-eyed pig Wilbur and the loving small girl, Fern, who listens to the interactions of animals on her parents’ farm.
The company
As mentioned in a previous post, Long Beach Shakespeare Company is an all-volunteer troupe. 2022, according to their website, marks their 20-year anniversary as Long Beach’s full-time classical theatre company.
Established in 1990 as a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization by the late Helen Borgers, LBSC originally performed as “Bard in the Yard”. The goal: to make Shakespeare accessible to the greater Long Beach community through free performances.
Under Helen’s artistic direction, the company grew to a year-round operation in 1997. With the goal of making theater available to underprivileged communities especially, their performance venues included schools, churches, museums, and youth organization, according to their website. Then, in 2002, LBSC opened its own resident theater in Bixby Knolls.
After Helen’s passing in 2017, the company continued with the work that is her bequest.
Would it seem disrespectful to say that I see a real parallel here? I certainly hope not.
Friends who inspire
When I first read “Charlotte’s Web,” as a wide-eyed eight-year-old, I was struck by the kindly and selfless industry of the title character. I wanted to be just like her–using her talents to inspire others and bring about positive outcomes.
Charlotte ultimately winds up being a lifesaver–literally–for Wilbur. And her legacy carries on.
The bittersweet ending of Charlotte’s Web is ultimately a message of resilience. Charlotte’s natural life has ended–but the inspiration remains. Her offspring continue to brighten Wilbur’s days, even as he remembers Charlotte as a true friend.
With their schedule for 2022, the Long Beach Shakespeare Company similarly carries on the inspiration. And I can’t wait to hear their opening-night performance on live stream this evening.