This year’s Middle School theatrical production is “Peter Pan Jr,” which will be staged in the Iron Door Playhouse throughout the week.  Dates of the Play are: March 3,4,6,7,8 at 7:00 pm, as well as a matinee performance on Saturday March 8 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets at $10 each and can be purchased online by going to irondoorarts.org or purchased at the door. 

The plays organizers state: “We are so excited to sprinkle a little pixie dust for a week in the valley.  The Middle School aged kids have been working so hard on their production and have had fun building relationships with each other.”

Last week, the cast and crew of “Peter Pan, Jr” ran through a set of dress rehearsals in preparation for this week’s shows.  Like any dress rehearsal, the process was a chance to see what worked and what needed some tweaking.  In addition to the actors and director, it also gave the lights, sound, stage, and costume engineers a chance to see how things worked in action.

Following a run-through in which the sound cues were set, stage positions marked, delivery discussed and choreography blocked, guest observers provided feedback on what they had seen.  As a result of that input and conversations between the actors, director, and technical crew, the play began to take its final form in realtime.

As the play hits the stage for public performance this week, most of the wrinkles have been ironed out and an evening of entertainment is waiting for everyone who heads down to Main Street to catch it.

The play is a musical, based on the original play by author J.M. Barrie, though it has been adapted in some ways by the Music Theatre International.  Specifically, the play has been adapted by MTI for actors in the middle school range.  As they state, “MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’ s Broadway Junior™ shows are 30 and 60-minute musicals for elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.”

The Musical is based on the Play by Sir J.M. Barrie, with Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Music by Morris (Moose) Charlap, Additional Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Additional Music by Jule Styne.  The play was originally Directed, Choreographed and Adapted by Jerome Robbins

As part of the play’s history, “in 1929 Sir J.M. Barrie bequeathed Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children in London, which has benefited thousands of children since then. The producers are proud and happy that everyone who has bought a ticket for today’s performance of Peter Pan JR. is helping towards making the hospital the incredible center of hope it is today.”

The full list of actors includes Liam Atkinson as Peter Pan, Anna Chipman as Wendy, Seth Huckay as John Darling, Alyssa Seamons as Michael Darling, Nicole White as Liza Darling, Caroline Butler as Nana, Hannah Anderson as Mrs. Darling, Maverik Lewis as Mr. Darling; Lost Boys: Sofia Hess, Levi Balazs, Jace Call, Hyrum Spencer, Danielle Pettis, Cumorah Carter; Pirates: Maverik Lewis as Captain Hook, Bentley Teeples as Smee, Sara Reiss, Ava Felser, Cali Whipple, Rose Butler; Brave Girls: Nicole White as Tiger Lilly, Karmyn Charles, Mariah Price, Brynlie Geldhill; Ensemble: Saige Blaisdell, Hannah Anderson, Wesley Asay, Jaxson Snow, Jersyn Shulz, Caroline Butler, Ambria DeJong; Stage Crew: Rylee Dunn, William Whipple, London Hess, Dot Teeples

Production credits include: Director Jeni Sperry, Assistant Director Jaden Hansen, Stage Manager AdaMarie Campbell, Lights and Sound Director Jeff Richins, Lights Britta Hansen, Sound Elizabeth Kent, Laura DeJong, Costumes Shannon Worrell.

Director Jeni Sperry notes: “These kids have been a joy to work with. I love their energy, curiosity, and imagination. We’ve discussed the ins and outs of Neverland, the Darling family and how to create your own character. I’m excited for you to see the world that they helped create. A special thanks to all the parent and grandparent volunteers! We couldn’t put on these shows without you. And thank you for letting your children participate. I really have grown to love each and every one of them.”

A write up of the play itself will come next week, but make sure to catch these impressive young actors in person this week!

The play was made possible by a generous donation from Rocky Mountain Power.