"It is easy to feel small right now. It is easy to feel powerless. But an Arden Children’s Theatre production of The Hobbit reminds us that even those who are very small can do great things. And it’s not just the story that delivers this message—the scrappy five-person ensemble, the inventive multi-use costumes, and the versatile set all reinforce the idea that mighty things can come in surprising packages... Sasha Jin Schwartz’s set, composed of twigs and planks, is simple yet endlessly adaptable, brought to life by Maria Shaplin’s beautiful and mood-shifting lighting"- Broad Street Review

"The Arden production utilizes a simple yet effective set designed by Sasha Jin Schwartz. Bathed in earth tones, it’s nondescript enough that the performers are able to effectively reconfigure it to transport the audiences to new locations throughout the story. Lighting, designed by Maria Shaplin, works cohesively with the set, creating luscious stage imagery. It is delightful to see the two mediums working so well in tandem, and both successfully support director Rebecca Wright’s choice to use a minimalistic approach in the storytelling."- The Philadelphia Inquirer