Talking animals, an evil queen, and a conflicted young protagonist take the stage during Rosedale Bible College's production of The Magician's Nephew January 30–February 1.

Although the C. S. Lewis story has been adapted by Aurand Harris as a children's play, director Christa J. Keim believes it “will be a great event for families to attend together.”

The themes of good vs. evil and the ideas of magic and the supernatural are intriguing enough to capture the attention of more mature audiences as well, she explained. Read more at Rosedale Bible College presents The Magician's Nephew.

The Magician's Nephew is part of Discover Rosedale, a special weekend when high school students can visit the college, attend classes, and experience campus life.

Where: RBC chapel building

When: Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January 31 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 1, at 3 p.m.

Tickets: Students and children $3.50
Adults: $7
Family: $20

The doors will open half an hour before performance, and tickets will be sold at the door or by phone. Please call 740-857-1311 for more information.

Student Marina Shenk talks about what it's like to play an evil queen:

As exhilarating as it can be to see one's name on a cast list in the role of the major villain, it is somewhat disconcerting to realize that someone thought you would be the best person to play a thoroughly evil being. How, one might ask, does one go about playing a thoroughly evil being? It's really fairly simple.

Pretend that the wildest imagination of any person has come true: you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, with no thought of anyone but yourself. Oh, and you have magic power. This is Queen Jadis. Human selfishness taken to its natural extent.

Playing Queen Jadis is extremely entertaining. Striding around the stage yelling at people, proclaiming my utter disregard for the feelings of others, and seeing their eyes widen in fear at my approach is nothing short of fun. It is sobering, however, to realize that I enjoy playing the part for many of the same reasons that the mythical Queen enjoyed being the part.

If I were placed in a position where my every want was attended to, my every whim made law, and my every wish came true, is there any guarantee that I would not myself become a Queen Jadis?

Playing an evil queen is fun, yes. But it is also a sobering look at the consequences of selfishness and power.

"Alas," said Aslan, shaking his head . . . “She has won her heart's desire; she has unwearying strength and endless days like a goddess. But length of days with an evil heart is only length of misery and already she begins to know it. All get what they want; they do not always like it.” – from The Magician's Nephew, by C. S. Lewis