Towngate Theater Presents ‘The House at Pooh Corner’ | News, Sports, Jobs

Photo provided – The cast members of “The House at Pooh Corner” rehearse for the upcoming production. Seated, from left, are Anna Contraguerro, Ludovica Santini and Emma Thompson. Standing, left to right, Audrey Kenamond, Mya Bogers, Andrew Gadd, Will Medovic, Abby Young and Grace Thompson. Not in the photo, it’s Kara Jean Zanes.

WHEELING – Join Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore and the rest of the gang in The Hundred Acre Woods for a very special story of friendship and growing up as Towngate Children’s Theater continues its season of family entertainment with “The House at Pooh Corner, ”which runs this weekend, tonight through Sunday November 5-7 at the Towngate Theater at the Oglebay Institute in Wheeling.

AA Milne’s classic story comes to life in this delightful production, which deals with Christopher Robin’s impending departure from The Hundred Acre Woods. Why? Because it seems that “they” (ie adults) decided that he was ready for “education”. No one knows exactly what or where it is, but if he’s sent to some unknown and faraway place, what can his friends do without him? So the gang concocts and implements plots to keep their boy at home.

Oglebay Institute Artistic Director Dave Henderson is leading production and guiding his cast to bring these beloved characters to life. The cast includes Andrew Gadd as Christopher Robin; Will Medovic as Winnie the Pooh; Mya Bogers as Piglet; Anna Contraguerro in the role of Eeyore; Ludovica Santini in the role of Tigger; Grace Thompson as Kanga; Emma Thompson as Roo; Abby Young as an owl; Kara Jean Zanes as Rabbit and Audrey Kenamond as Early Rabbit.

Towngate produces and presents several children’s shows per year in a professional theater setting. Titles include classics of children’s literature, popular tales and fables and new favorites to both challenge and delight a large family audience.

“For some of our younger clients, these shows are their first introduction to theater. We strive to entertain and enlighten young people across the Ohio Valley, ”said Oglebay Institute Director of Performing Arts Tim Thompson.

He added that all of Towngate’s children’s shows include some type of lesson or moral. “This show emphasizes the importance of education, that running away from a problem is never the right answer and how friends can help each other through difficult times,” he said.

Sponsored by the Helen J. Prince Foundation, “The House at Pooh Corner” will be staged at the Towngate Theater at 7 pm today, Friday November 5th; 7 p.m. Saturday, November 6; and 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 7.

Part of the non-profit Oglebay Institute, Towngate is in the historic Wheeling Central Market district. Towngate is the lifeblood of creative life in Wheeling and serves as an entertainment destination for residents of Wheeling, the Upper Ohio Valley and beyond. People of all ages and backgrounds come together here to create and experience art on stage. Dozens of theatrical performances, ballets, concerts, films, exhibitions, courses and more take place year round.

Tickets can be purchased at www.oionline.com.