For the Reporter

“Salutations … it’s just my fancy way of saying hello. …”

And on a recent Saturday at Barnes and Noble, Heavier Than Air Family Theatre said hello to a new generation of readers when they took “Charlotte’s Web The Musical” beyond the stage.

The local theatre company partnered with the retailer to share a message with fans of books and Broadway alike, highlighting and connecting the dots between literature and plays.

More often than not, the performances enjoyed in playhouses around the globe have quite literally traveled from the page to the stage. The fun community event included story time, sneak peek mini performances of the theatre’s upcoming June musical, character meet and greets with Charlotte the spider, Wilbur the pig and his best friend Fern, as well as themed activities and crafts.

Charlotte’s Web, the beloved book by author E.B. White, is a literary classic celebrated by children, the young at heart and critics worldwide. Published in 1952, the book became an animated musical film in 1973 and made its live theatrical premiere in 2007.

It should come as no surprise the shows selected for Heavier Than Air’s summer musical theatre camps are proof positive of the event’s message. Budding actors will explore and perform Disney’s Aristocats, Kids, based on a story by Tom McGowan and Tom Rowe; Freckleface Strawberry, Julianne Moore’s delightful literary debut turned musical; and The Music Man, where trouble in River City started in a 1948 book by Meredith Willson and Frank Lacey.

Charlotte’s Web The Musical opens at 7 p.m. Friday, June 12. There will be five weekend performances through Saturday, June 20 on the main campus of Green River College, 12401 SE 320th St, Auburn.

Musical theatre camps for ages 3-17 begin June 22 and run for five weeks, culminating in stage productions complete with costumes, choreography, music and lights.

For ticket information and summer camp details, call 253-833-9111, ext. 2400, or visit www.heavierthanair.com.