It’s exciting to see in-person events on the calendar again! After a year of being resourceful with virtual events and camps, the Magik Theatre—San Antonio’s professional family theater—is presenting Charlotte’s Web from May 22 to July 3, 2021 at their theater home at Hemisfair. We have tips for enjoying Charlotte’s Web at the Magik Theatre, as well as suggestions for arts enrichment to keep your kids learning this summer.
Charlotte’s Web at the Magik Theatre
The Magik Theatre is looking forward to bringing live theater to families in person this summer. As families start to venture out more, their top priority is still to providing their youngest patrons a safe and friendly environment. At live productions of Charlotte’s Web, families can expect to see this treasured story that explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship.
A Story of Friendship
Charlotte’s Web at the Magik Theatre is an adaptation by Joseph Robinette of the classic book by E.B. White. Director Darcell Bios, Magik’s artistic associate and an SAISD teaching artist, is making his directorial debut on Magik’s mainstage. Darcell is also set to direct the teen production of The Addams Family this summer—more details on that below.
Charlotte’s Web features Wilbur played by Rosa Gardner, a familiar face to Magik patrons, who recently played Snow White in last winter’s production of Snow White. Gardner’s Wilbur may be the runt of the litter, but he’s a rambunctious and lovable pig who captures the heart of a little girl, Fern Arable (played by Mariel Ardila).
When Wilbur grows too big, he’s sent to reside on a farm owned by Fern’s uncle (played by Michael Salinas). Wilbur discovers his eventual fate, and it’s up to a wise and kind-hearted spider named Charlotte (played by Molly Martinez-Collins) to hatch a plan to save him.
Magik Theatre Tickets
Charlotte’s Web is recommended for children ages 4 and up; however, all ages are welcome. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased online. For those who want to book a group of eight or more, they can bring their own “bubble” party for a 10 percent discount. To book a group “bubble” party, please email the box office at info@magiktheatre.org or call or 210-227-2751. Discounts are available for children, seniors, military, and educators at a savings of 25 percent off regular ticket prices. The production is sponsored by Edaren Foundation.
Special Performances of Charlotte’s Web
Throughout the run, Magik will have special events including an American Sign Language interpreted performance, a special day honoring educators who have worked so hard this year, and a performance dedicated to military and first responders featuring local comedian Cleto Rodriguez.
Opening Day Celebration—May 22, 2021 at 2:00 PM. Opening day guests will be delighted to find a state fair-style outdoor celebration with games, food and fun beginning at 12:30 PM.
Educator Appreciation Night—May 22, 2021 at 7:00 PM. Educators are eligible for one free ticket to this performance with proof of school I.D. and will receive 1.5 hours of CPE credit for attending. Educators can email the box office at info@magiktheatre.org.
Military and First Responder Appreciation, featuring local comedian Cleto Rodriguez—May 23, 2021 at 2:00 PM. Active or retired members of the military and first responders with I.D. will get a much-needed comic relief with a brief performance by local comedian Cleto Rodriguez at 1:45 PM. Rodriguez’s comedy special Devil, Get the Heck Out of Here is available on Amazon Prime. Active or retired members of the military and first responders with I.D. pay $11.50 per ticket for their entire party.
American Sign Language Interpreted Performance (ASL)—May 29, 2021 at 7:00 PM. Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s primary sign language interpreter, offers his services for this ASL-interpreted performance for patrons who are deaf or hard-of- hearing.
Arts Enrichment at the Magik Theatre
The Magik Theatre is bringing back in-person summer arts enrichment activities, including Camp Showbiz. Their camps for summer 2021 are currently sold out, but more camps are being developed, so parents are encouraged to stay in touch—check Magik Theatre’s website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and if you have questions, contact Magik’s Education Department at 210-227-2751, ext. 300 or email education@magiktheatre.org.
The Addams Family
Earlier, we mentioned that Darcell Bios is making his mainstage directorial debut at the Magik with Charlotte’s Web. Darcell will also be working on this year’s big full-scale production lab camp, culminating in a production of The Addams Family.
The Addams Family features Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, who has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family whom her parents have never met. She confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before—keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s non-spooky boyfriend and his parents.
Students participating in The Addams Family camp—a full sale production lab—will learn the processes of putting on a production, enhancing their skills in the world of theater. The cast will perform at the Magik Theatre on July 30 and 31, 2021 at 6:30 PM, utilizing professional sets, costumes, and production design.
Snow White on Tour
This summer, the hilarious production of Snow White will go on a Texas tour to various libraries throughout the state. Rosa Gardner, who plays Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web, has a starring role in Snow White. This is not your usual “Once Upon a Time” story. Two actors play all the roles—Snow White, the huntsman, the prince, and all seven dwarves. For dates and times, visit their website.
Haven for Hope
Children staying at Haven for Hope will will have the opportunity to work with Magik teaching artists on developing their imaginations, learning to collaborate, and sharpening their communication skills through drama. Studies show that these 21st century skills are the cornerstone of learning and essential to young people’s future success. In addition, Magik is performing scheduled shows of Snow White in June for campus families as a socially distant dinner and a show. The Magik Theatre’s partnership with Haven for Hope is possible with the support of the Najim Charitable Foundation, the Greehey Family Foundation, the JK Lee Family Foundation, and H-E-B.
Virtual Events
The Magik Theatre is offering families the choice to enjoy theater at home through its streaming productions.
Yana Wana’s The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Maria F. Rocha and Roxanne Schroeder-Arce is a new streaming production available now through June 14, 2021. This ancient story exposes an amazing and unknown ancestral connection to the bluebonnet that gives María a renewed sense of herself and her community through her Native American identity. The Legend of the Bluebonnet is a beautiful and original play that illustrates the power of heritage and the value of one’s own story—especially one as ancient as the petroglyphs of Texas. This play for young audiences is produced by the Indigenous Cultures Institute and Teatro Vivo and commissioned by the Dallas Children’s Theater, and is sponsored by the Texas Commission on the Arts.
More Streaming Productions: Magik Theatre will feature streaming of its latest productions of Dragons Love Tacos, adapted from the New York Times Best Selling book, the classic fairy tale story of Jack and the Beanstalk, the bilingual production of Señora Tortuga featuring three tales of Latin American cultures and—for our young audiences—Everything is Round. Magik is offering a “Pay What You Can” option with a suggested minimum donation of $5.
For more ideas about arts enrichment, including at-home learning activities, visit our guide, Charter a Voyage of Learning, including a guest post about using your imagination with the Magik Theatre.
Charter Moms Chats
Watch Magik Theatre team members—including Rosa Gardner, Darcell Bios, Vanezza Garcia, and Rebecca Simons—talk about Charlotte’s Web with Inga Cotton on Charter Moms Chats on May 21, 2020 at 4:00 PM Central on Facebook and YouTube.
Rosa Gardner is an Artistic Associate at the Magik Theatre, and plays Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web.
Darcell Bios is a Teaching Artist at the Magik Theatre and is the director of Charlotte’s Web.
Anthony Runfola is the Artistic Director of the Magik Theatre.
Read More About Theater and Arts Enrichment
- “Basquiat Art Project: Make a Portrait in the Style of Jean-Michel Basquiat,” Katie Mallette, San Antonio Charter Moms, February 26, 2021
- “Dance Away Summer Blues,” Vanessa Bessler, San Antonio Charter Moms, July 6, 2020
- “Using Your Imagination With the Magik Theatre,” Laura Aplin, San Antonio Charter Moms, June 8, 2020
- “PLAY: Public Art in Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair Park,” San Antonio Charter Moms, October 3, 2015
- “F.T. Reviews Act I of “Into the Woods” at the Woodlawn Theatre,” San Antonio Charter Moms, February 17, 2014
