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CTC Family Guide 
Family Guide: The Hobbit
A detailed description of the play, including things to do and think about, for parents to share with their families.
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Summary 
Great stories often have simple beginnings. Before there was Sauron and Mordor, there was the Shire and the humble hobbit from Bag End. This entirely new production is Tolkien's modest beginning to the Ring Trilogy. Expect fantasy, illusions, imagination, exhilarating suspense, and know that good will triumph over evil in the end. This is a new production, new script, new Hobbit, and it is all action! Gandalf narrates this tale of "There and Back Again" which is made to be a wonderful visit to Middle Earth for the youngest members of the family.
A Synopsis of the Story
Thorin Oakenshield, last in a long line of dwarves, has declared the time has come to journey to Lonely Mountain and recover the treasure of his ancestors. The dragon, Smaug, whose lair is accessible only through a secret entrance, guards the treasure. Thorin seeks out the great wizard Gandalf for guidance and assembles a company of dwarves. The dwarves think they need a hero for their quest. Gandalf insists they need a particular burglar. He is certain an adventure suits Bilbo Baggins, and Bilbo is equally certain it does not. Gandalf is firm in his choice, however, and after an evening of feasting the journey is begun.
The company, including Bilbo, who would much rather have stayed at home safe and cozy in his shire, encounter the varied creatures of Middle Earth in the course of their journey. They narrowly escape trolls who want to eat them, are welcomed in the elven kingdom of Rivendell, escape from a goblin hoard, and outwit the Wood Elves of Mirkwood Forest. Through it all, time and time again, our reluctant hero, Bilbo Baggins, comes to the rescue of his companions with the help of the magic ring he won from a riddle-loving creature by the name of Gollum.
When they finally reach Lonely Mountain Bilbo enters Smaug's lair through the secret passage and recovers part of the treasure. When he flees, Smaug flies after him, seeking revenge and wreaking havoc, but is killed by Bard, an archer who lives at the foot of Lonely Mountain. Bilbo and the dwarves then face one last challenge. The armies of Middle Earth, having learned of Smaug's defeat, descend on Lonely Mountain to claim the treasure. Men, dwarves and elves unite against goblins and wargs in a final, epic Battle of Five Armies. Ultimately, the evil forces are defeated and the wizard Gandalf admits that Bilbo is "more of a hero than a burglar" although still "a little fellow in a wide world." Peace is restored; Middle Earth renewed and Bilbo Baggins is free to return to the Shire and the comforts of home where he can serve tea and seedcake to his friend Gandalf.
| LIST of CHARACTERS |
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Bilbo Baggins: A hobbit, known for his love of comfort and fine food, who lives quietly in a peaceful hobbit hole, until he becomes the reluctant companion to dwarves. He is the first hobbit guardian of the Ring.
Thorin Oakenshield: The last heir of the king of the dwarves whose treasure lies under Lonely Mountain. He assembles the company for the quest to recover it.
Gandalf: An ancient and powerful wizard, he is also a friend of hobbits known for his fireworks displays. He persuades Bilbo to go on the adventure and aids in the journey itself.
Elrond of Rivendell: An elven lord who welcomes the company and interprets the runes on the dwarves' map of Lonely Mountain.
Trolls: Large, lumbering creatures with a taste for dwarf pie, among other things. They turn to stone at the touch of sunlight.
Wood Elves: Territorial elves that inhabit Mirkwood Forest through which the travellers must pass. They imprison the dwarves.
Goblins: Also called orcs, these creatures are bad news. The company crosses a mountain infested with a horde which is allied with wolves.
Gollum: A creature that lives deep under the goblin's mountain. He once owned - and treasured - the ring Bilbo finds.
Smaug: The fire-breathing dragon that has taken possession of the immense bed of gold and jewels in the ruined halls of the dwarf kings. He is considered invincible, but is killed by a single arrow. (The Arkenstone of Thrain, a beautiful jewel, is the chief treasure in Smaug's hoard.)
Bard, Son of Gilion: A human, descended from those Smaug destroyed long ago, who slays Smaug.
Eagles: Great intelligent birds that are the friends of elves, men, and wizards in Middle Earth.
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| A GAME to PLAY |
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If you were going on a long journey far from home what would you take with you? Bilbo forgot his pocket handkerchiefs because he hadn't much time to plan!
Try this game with your family: One person says, "I'm going to Lonely Mountain and I'm going to take my ______ (fill in the blank with one item). The next person repeats what was said and adds a new item of his or her own. It will go a bit like this: "I'm going to Lonely Mountain and I'm going to take my camera - and my chain mail - and my toothbrush." (You can play this alphabetically too!) Continue adding to the list and see how much you can pack...and don't forget a pocket handkerchief.
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 A question... Bilbo Baggins is often called "an unlikely hero." Talk together about what that means; what it takes to make a hero and what makes one "unlikely." Who is a "likely" hero? Why is Bilbo NOT one? Think of some other "unlikely heroes." Do you know any? Perhaps you are one.
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| RELATED READING |
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The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien. This adaptation of Tolkien's tale by Charles Dixon and Sean Deming is a graphic novel, or comic book, illustrated by David Wenzel. (gr. 4-6)
Tim and the Blanket Thief by John Prater. Tim is a shy boy who is not very brave. But one dark and stormy night, Tim finds the courage to confront the dreaded blanket thief who has stolen his special sleepy blanket. (gr. K-3)
Mariel of Redwall by Brian Jacques, or any others in the Redwall series. These books unfold the drama of the gentle mice of Mossflower as they defend their land against the invading vermin. (gr. 4-6)
Myth Maker: J.R.R. Tolkien by Anne E. Neimark. This biography of master fantasist J.R.R. Tolkien chronicles his love of language, of myth and legend and of the natural world. (gr. 4-6)
Rescue!: True Stories of Heroism by L.B. Taylor. True stories of young people who reacted to situations of great danger and risk with quick thinking and courage. (gr. 4-6)
If you'd like to explore Middle Earth online try:
www.glyphweb.com/arda/
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