Whitefish Theatre Company flies high with “Peter Pan”
Published: November 17, 2008
Whitefish Theatre Company is flying high this December with a production of “Peter Pan,” Dec. 5-21 at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.
WTC will literally take flight, aided by ZFX Flying Effects, which comes to town to rig up the O’Shaughnessy Center and harness the actors for flying lessons Thanksgiving weekend. This caps two months of rehearsal for 30 actors and dozens of technical support volunteers.
Some stories are worth telling and hearing over and over again. “Peter Pan,” like its namesake, is a tale that never ages. As early as 1905, a musical version of James M. Barrie’s novel Peter Pan had appeared on the New York stage. But it was not until 1954 that the most popular stage version was born, thanks to producer Jerome Robbins.
His original production, featuring Mary Martin as Peter Pan and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook, opened in 1954 and ran for 152 performances. In 1979, the show was revived with Sandy Duncan playing the lead role. This production proved even more popular than the first, enjoying a run of 551 performances.
WTC’s cast of 30 includes the memorable ticking crocodile, a lion, an ostrich, a kangaroo and the lovable dog Nana. Lonnie Porro and Sherron Donovan, who designed the magical costumes for “Cinderella” last December, created costumes.
Jessie Culp is guest director for this production, with April Dawn Vogel as musical director. Karla West conducts the three-piece band in a slew of favorites, including “I’m Flying” and “I Won’t Grow Up.”
On Dec. 11, third- and fourth-grade students from Muldown Elementary in Whitefish will participate in an educational outreach at the O’Shaughnessy Center, listening to songs from the show, meeting some of the actors and learning how the musical was produced.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 5-21. Reserved tickets are $16-$20 and general admission is $12-$16. Call 406-862-5371 or visit www.whitefishtheatreco.org.
