Calgarians aged 5 to 105 are invited to witness an unlikely friendship form between a human, a pig and a spider.

Starting November 26, the set of the Martha Cohen Theater at Arts Commons will be transformed into a farmyard. for the presentation of the ATP during the Christmas holidays Charlotte’s websitebased on the book EB White.

Ellis Lalonde will play Wilbur, a piglet whose life is spared thanks to a girl named Fern, played by Alice Wordsworth.

“But as he grows and starts costing his owners a fortune in food, he’ll need the help of all his new farm friends to save his life, including the miraculous talents of a gray spider very special, ‘Charlotte, (played by Julie Orton),'” the ATP said in a press release.

Calgarian Rebecca Northan says directing this production was a real pleasure.

“It brings back warm memories of sitting on a hopscotch mat, at the back of Miss Brown’s Year 2 class at Highwood Primary School,” recalls Northan, who went on to create and perform in shows such that Blind Date, Goblin: MacBeth and Kung Fu Panties.

“She was reading Charlotte’s website out loud during the last 10 minutes of class each day. There’s no place I’d rather be.”

Director Rebecca Northan grew up in Calgary and first discovered Charlotte’s Web when her Grade 2 teacher at Highwood Elementary School read it during the last 10 minutes of class each day. (Photo: ATP)

Lots of laughter

ATP promises lots of laughter, masks, movement and a dynamic setting for the play which runs until December 29.

“Charlotte’s website is a story that speaks to the heart of what it means to care for each other and find courage in unlikely places,” said Haysam Kadri, ATP Artistic Director.

“This production combines the joy and magic of live theater with a timeless message about friendship, sacrifice and the beauty of life’s bonds.”

Charlotte’s website is the second ATP production of its 50th anniversary season. The theater company’s first production, The Seafarer, starring Paul Gross and a cast of Calgary actors, which closed Sunday, sold more tickets than any non-holiday show in the history of the theater company.

Anyone looking for more information or tickets can visit ATP website.