'Finding Your Way'

Stuart Little's journey is one of many elements. And one of many mediums, too, having appeared first in E.B. White's classic children's novel and later on television and on stage.

"I think the story is about finding your way in life," says Chelsye P. Ginn, who will direct a production of the theatrical version of "Stuart Little" for Fayetteville-based Arts Live Theatre.

The title character's way is a complicated and fascinating one. A mouse born to a human family, Stuart races sailboats, searches for his avian friend Margalo and also travels the country in a model car.

Joseph Robinette's adaptation for the stage closely follows the book, says Ginn, a Florida transplant directing her first show for Arts Live Theatre. The stage adaption is also storybook theater, meaning that each of the 15 actors, save for Preston Dulaney, who portrays the title character, play several different characters. The actors, most of whom are between the ages of 11 and 13, are required to change quickly between costumes. Most of the costumes are abstract, says Ginn, relying on hats and jackets to signify a new character or a set of ears or a tail to designate a character is an animal.

Sight gags help demonstrate the difference in size between Stuart and his normal-size family. He comes out holding a wedding ring the size of a hula hoop, Ginn says. In the next scene, his mother holds the same piece of jewelry, now the size of a standard ring.

"Stuart Little" continues through the weekend at Arts Live Theatre, located on Sang Avenue in Fayetteville.

-- Kevin Kinder

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