“A noble friend is the best gift. A noble enemy is the next best.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia

In seeing the first night of Woodbridge High’s The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, reflecting awhile during and after the production, you begin to come to the realization that if you allow yourself to be affected by those around you, it often can lead to places you never dreamed of.

Ask Lucy.

Normally, I always try to go through everyone that is in a cast and detail by detail, list what stood out the most, person by person. I think this production deserves a deviation from the norm.

As I settled into the first night showing, a family snuck in beside me after the first few minutes, and while at first I had the luck to have a row all to myself, as luck would have it, this family had a younger child, maybe roughly the age of 10 site beside me.

Not normally, when you would say this, people think of the scenario on a plane, which might seem to take 10+ hours, beside a rambunctious child that can make your experience unforgettable at best, maybe not in the best ways. That thought crossed my mind.

What I learned was I had the first hand experience of what excited this young attendees as the events unfolded, which I found fascination and another view into what I loved about coming across The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a young child myself. Fascinating.

When a confrontation scene ensued between Peter and Maugrim, the lead of the Witch’s army, the young boy stared rubbing his hands together in anticipation, and knowing the student playing Peter, quietly shouted (yes you can do that!) his name before the battle. I can’t count on my hands the number of times this young attendee came alive at the various levels of conflict and tension that you could see and feel on stage. A very good sign, especially for a first night of a production.

Additionally, when the lights went on and off signaling a storm, both literally and metaphorically between the forces of characters, you could almost feel my young neighbor itching in 10 different ways out of his seat. You could feel his nervousness soaking into my seat and of course, he repeated the level of excitement and bravado geared towards peter in the final confrontational scene between the forces on stage.

I found that if you as as adult are willing to set aside what you have come to know as an adult for a brief period of time, and allow the energy, talent, and willingness of all the cast of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to chat with your younger, inner self, you see the magic that you will feel, and should feel, and can feel, not just around the holidays but all year long.

It is interesting to realize feeling and seeing the young attendee’s enthusiasm, nervousness, and excitement beside me as scene after scene developed, how much from day to day we can live our lives in a masked sense of responsibility, and leave our own sense of youth and energy behind so easily. Just as Peter, Edmund, Lucy, and Susan are able to slip into a world of wonder and possibility- we can do this everyday if we are willing to live our lives through the eyes of that first time that pushed us into what excited us, what motivated us, what pushed us to be the youngest and most excited version of our self.

I am lucky to surround myself with more youth than I ever thought I would be surrounded by, and on sone days, it might seem as emotionally and physically, I an wiped clean of any energy I started the day with. However in looking back on each of those moments, even today, half to 80% of what we adventure into would not be possible if I did not allow myself to find ways to share the very dreams and wishes that youth think of, and together we make a reality. That transports you anywhere you want to go- just as this cast is able to if you allow yourself to be connected to their energy and enthusiasm that aligns itself with this magical story.

It is VERY difficult to get used to a performance that is accompanied by musical, as say, a musical, and then say – to a production with out and music – imagine what that is like for a cast used to a musical? it is like being on the phone with those uncomfortable moments of silence. Yet, it almost seems to serve a purpose to pay more attention to the detail, movements, and impacts of scenes when music is not a component, and how that, all together impacts the overall takeaway of the production.

It was exciting to see how many youth were in the audience – and their reactions. It soaked right through you and helped translate the value of scenes from this production. Additionally, having the advantage seeing the cast over the last 3-4 months preparing for this, alongside school, other activities and more – you have a insider’s perspective to what it takes to try and pull off a certain effect and how easy it is to take for granted how long and how many hours it takes to get a certain message to the audience.

If you have not see this production, and definitely if you have not ever read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, do not wait. I found that a Christmas feeling can be transferred through the deeper meanings individuals express on this stage and come in the forms that we often do not expect (not necessarily in the form of Santa, what is deemed a “traditional Christmas production” of having to have a iconic Christmas emblem) – and yet, you have snow, pine trees, Father Christmas, and the gift of finding something inside that can enable giving to others. If that isn’t Christmas, I am not sure then what Christmas is. The cast makes sure to make this a resounding message to the audience in a variety of ways. Some downright funny when you notice them.

I had the advantage of seeing how a younger version of myself would react in seeing it for the first time beside me. I hope you have the same ability, and make sure to take int he reactions of the children beside you. You will realize what it is about this cast that sends the same message out to those taking in this production. From the deep-directed ominous feeling sent out from the White Queen, to the thought-provoking, faith inspiring words of Aslan, to the faith and steadfastness of the ensemble and cast making up villains and heroes, you will feel the elements of Christmas that we could only wish all would contain this holiday season.