Beneath the second star to the right and straight on ‘til curtain call, the amazing kids at Gettysburg Community Theatre are rocking the stage in a joyful evening of musical theater based on Scottish playwright and novelist J. M. Barrie’s beloved story about a flying boy who refuses to grow up.
His play “Peter Pan” first began enchanting audiences at the start of the 20th century. Barrie consequently published the classic children’s novel “Peter and Wendy” in 1911, and in 1924 Paramount Pictures released the first film adaptation of “Peter Pan” as a silent fantasy adventure.
In 1953, Disney released the animated musical film of the same name. The following year, “Peter Pan” (the Broadway musical) — starring Mary Martin as Peter and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook — earned both actors Tony awards. On the heels of the Broadway run in 1956, its cast performed a groundbreaking broadcast on television seen by a record-setting estimated 65 million viewers.
Originally adapted by Jerome Robbins, “Peter Pan, JR.” became available to children’s theater in 2013 through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International. With tunes adapted from a 1953 animated Disney film and the Broadway musical, it is simply staged and runs for approximately an hour.
Produced by Lexi Connelly and directed with care at GCT by Kyle Meisner and Buff Wills, “Peter Pan, JR.” is performed by two casts on alternating schedules. On Opening Night, the Green Cast (who performs Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons) claimed their stage with wonderful energy and spirit.
With musical direction by Carrie Conklin and choreography by Meisner, 18 youngsters performed upwards of a dozen exhilarating songs with clear vocals and shining faces.
Nearly everyone knows the tale of the boy and his fairy who entice storyteller Wendy and her brothers on a magical adventure fueled by fairy dust. On Opening Night, Brody Rummel (as Peter), Isabella Nalewak (Wendy) and Alysanna Lovell (Captain Hook) led a charming ensemble of elementary and middle school stars on a wondrous journey to London and Neverland and back again.
Tech Director Michael Connelly and Lighting Designer Kai Dittrich magically brought the fairy Tinker Bell (a lighting effect) to life as a primary character (an innovation in tech theater in 1904).
After a warm welcome by the community theater’s new Executive Director (Lexi Connelly) and Artistic Director (Carrie Conklin), the stage lights rose on the ensemble — adorably costumed by Amy Eyler — performing “Neverland” as an island scene with palm trees projected onto the upstage wall.
Michael Connelly’s set (mostly aesthetic projections) changed to the Darling children’s nursery, where Wendy (Nalewak), Michael (Sage Hull) and John (Kalgin Kuhns) were playing shortly before bedtime.
Their parents‚ Rebekah Stoltzfoos (Mrs. Darling) and Cooper Grimmer (Mr. Darling) were preparing to go out for the evening when Mrs. Darling revealed that she had seen a boy’s face at the children’s window several times and recently chased him from their room while catching his shadow and placing it in a drawer.
Nana (the family dog played by Samira Rangelova Bamba) and Liza (the housekeeper played by Hannah Hoptak) bid the children goodnight. Stoltzfoos performed “Tender Shepherd” beautifully as their bedtime lullaby, and the children settled into bed.
Once the adults departed, Peter and Tinker Bell entered in search of Peter’s shadow. When Wendy confronted Peter, he enticed Wendy and her brothers go with him to Neverland and led their performance of “I’m Flying.”
Hoptak (in a dual role as Tiger Lily), The Lost Boys (Teagan Hyder, Willow Hardman, Harper Cole and Rhaegan Hyder), the Pirates (Lovell as Captain Hook, Morgan Grogan, Emma Luque Valmisa and Grimmer) and the Brave Girls (Bamba, Leila Haller and Ellana Albright) all delivered admirable performances as well in the lively tale that followed. Caroline Edwards stood ready as Swing (a versatile understudy) and performed in the ensemble.
Rummel’s expressive performance as Peter echoed his dream to perform on Broadway one day. He had Peter’s character and poses down pat, and his vocal performances were excellent.
Rummel’s absolute joy while performing was contagious to the audience — as was Grimmer’s in his delightful portrayals of Mr. Darling and (especially) Smee.
Nalewak also shone bright as a sympathetic and maternal Wendy. The chemistry between Peter and Wendy as they role-played acting as Mother and Father to the Lost Boys felt in total sync. And Lovell made a deliciously wicked Captain Cook. Her height contrasted with the supposedly ferocious but tiny crocodile (Bamba) in several chase scenes that were some of the cutest and funniest moments of the evening.
Barrie’s timeless tale that explores themes of maternal love, childhood innocence and lost youth has been adored by the young-at-heart worldwide for over a century.
Gettysburg Community Theatre’s “Peter Pan, JR.” — from its opening number to the ensemble’s performance of “Finale Ultimo” — does not disappoint. And with two alternating casts, it may be worth seeing twice!
Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International, “Peter Pan, JR.” continues through May 17th at Gettysburg Community Theatre, 49 York Street. Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission is $20. For tickets and more information, visit gettysburgcommunitytheatre.org.
Photo of Green Cast members courtesy of Gettysburg Community Theatre. Prop Design credited to Vanessa Rice.
For more information about the Gold Cast members performing on Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and bios of both casts’ members, see Peter Pan, JR.
