Youthful ‘Peter Pan’ musical flies into Act Out Theatre in Dunmore March 6-15
From a press release:
Follow the second star to the right and straight on to Dunmore where more than 30 young actors and actresses in the Act Out Theatre Group will present the timeless musical “Peter Pan” on Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 15.
Based off the classic tale by J.M. Barrie, “Peter Pan” is the story of a young boy from Neverland who refuses to grow up but is longing for a mother. Peter Pan happens upon the Darling family house, where he hears Mrs. Darling tell her three children – Wendy, John and Michael – the story of Cinderella, and he can’t help but want to hear the end of the story.
Peter and his mischievous fairy sidekick Tinkerbell visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night and, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget. In the adventure of a lifetime, the travelers come face to face with a ticking crocodile, a fierce tribe of Lost Boys (or, in this case, Girls), a band of bungling pirates, and the villainous Captain Hook.
“The unique thing about this production is the age range and size of our cast,” said Dan Pittman, Act Out’s artistic director and the production’s director. “We have over 30 children and teens in the cast ranging from 4 to seniors in high school.
“We also have a lovable bernedoodle named Wesley Gowden who plays Nana, the Darling children’s nanny and family dog,” continued Pittman, who lives in Plymouth.
Erin McLaughlin of Sweet Valley plays Wendy Darling, alternating with Olivia Anderson of Shavertown.
“The hardest part of this show for me is playing a character who is trying to keep a firm grasp on her childhood when, in real life, I am ready and excited to move forward into adulthood,” McLaughlin said.
Abby Tirva of Wyoming plays Mrs. Darling and Captain Hook. For her, functioning with one less hand has been the most challenging part.
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Along with McLaughlin, Anderson, and Tirva, the cast of 33 includes Samantha Greenfield (Old Forge) and Amelia Peliggi (Kingston) playing Peter Pan and a Lost Boy, Max Snyder (Madison Township) and Lorcan Baden (Taylor) as Smee (Snyder also plays Mr. Darling), Giada Gowden (Moosic) and Sarah Gallagher (Exeter) as Liza and a Lost Boy, Karyn Miller (Larksville) and Ava Nitch (Scranton) as Michael and a Lost Boy, Benjamin T. Gruden (Plains Township) and Jason Berlew (Wilkes-Barre) as John and a pirate, Sarah Rose Pugliese (Wilkes-Barre Township) and Emma Christianson (Wilkes-Barre) as Tiger Lily and a Lost Boy, and Clare Grenevich (Kingston) as a Lost Boy.
The children’s ensemble, ranging in age from 4 to 11, is featured in select scenes. Ensemble members include Alaina Scassellati (Jessup), Bella Gross (Dunmore), Cami Ragukas (Swoyersville), Charlie Grenevich (Kingston), Chase Richmond (Throop), Dallas Fernandes (Wilkes-Barre), Evangeline Gowden (Moosic), Isaiah Ortiz (Dunmore), James Luiso (Kingston), Lucy Lane (Clarks Green), Maddie McShane (Madison Township), Malachi Armstrong (Plains Township), Olivia Fernandes (Clarks Summit), Penny Lane (Clarks Green), Regan Miller (Wilkes-Barre), TJ Spanish (Scranton), and Ty Medina (Dunmore).
The cast features four pairs of siblings: Giada and Evangeline Gowden (as well as the family bernedoodle), Charlie and Clare Grenevich, Penny and Lucy Lane, and Jason Berlew and Regan Miller.
“People should come see the show because it is a classic show with a timeless lesson about the joys of childhood,” Anderson said.
“Peter Pan” runs on the Act Out stage (150 E. Grove St., Dunmore) from March 6-15, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
Tickets can be reserved by visiting actouttheatre.com or e-mailing actouttheatre1@gmail.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
The theater will also run William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” from March 20-22 and a “Miscast Cabaret” from March 27-29.
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