Second Star to the
Right Shines Brightly on
King’s Wharf Theatre
Thursday, June 5th, 2014
PENETANGUISHENE – The 2014 Season at the King’s Wharf Theatre opens with
the legendary adventures of Peter Pan. Theatregoers young and old
are whisked away to Never Never Land in this traditional British panto that combines
elements of fantasy, adventure, unforgettable characters, and plenty of comedy.
Peter Pan entertains now through June 21st.
“Peter
Pan is family entertainment at its best,” says Alex Mustakas,
Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “The classic story is retold with
an amazing cast of characters and sensational music that is sure to delight and
have audiences rooting for the hero and booing the villain. It’s a fun
and interactive form of theatre that allows everyone to share in the magic.”
Based on the popular story by
J.M. Barrie, this enchanting adaptation is written by Simon Aylin and Trudy
Moffatt. The pair has wonderfully preserved the traditional tale and
infused it with tons of energy and humor to create a classic British panto. Theatregoers
of all ages can’t help being drawn into the hilarity!
In this beloved story about a boy who would not grow up, audiences
embark on thrilling adventures soaring to the stars, swimming with mermaids,
and battling swashbuckling pirates. You’ll meet your favourite
characters including Peter, the Lost Boys, the Darling children, the villainous
Captain Hook … and a few new eccentrics!
AJ Bridel is ideally suited for the role of Peter Pan. Her marvellous
singing voice and playful demeanour are brilliantly
showcased, even through flight and fight as she keeps everyone rooting for
Peter Pan’s victory.
Thom Allison is terrific in the dual
role of patriarch Mr. Darling and the evil Captain Hook. Allison captures the spirit of the infamous scoundrel,
portraying Hook with the perfect balance of villainy and humour. Children especially take great joy in booing him, while
laughing at his outlandish antics.
Melanie Phillipson delivers a warm and affectionate performance as
Mrs. Darling while also tackling the role of Tiger Lily, the brave and
beautiful Indian Princess, in which she delights.
Making their
Drayton Entertainment debuts in this production are Eric LeClair as Michael, the littlest of the
Darling children, and Nikki Ponte, who gives a cheerful portrayal of big sister Wendy Darling. Joining them as
middle child John is Trek Buccino, delivering the perfect amount
of maturity and cleverness.
A British panto wouldn’t be complete without a few
surprises and Aidan
deSalaiz is exceptionally funny as the
outrageous character, Delilah the Cook.
His over-the-top costumes bring plenty of laughs, and are only surpassed
by his sheer brilliant comedic timing.
Captain Hook’s dutiful sidekick, Smee, is played by Eric Da Costa.
Engaging
audiences with his lovable style and witty humour, Da Costa is delightfully entertaining as the
sensitive underling.
Justine Clark, Rachel
Clark, Jason Franco, Dani Jazzar, Grant Landry and Christine
Watson round out an impressive ensemble cast.
Also appearing
in this production are 35 local youth who are cast as the Lost Boys and
dancers.
The Lost Boys are portrayed by William
Alexander, Ian Beausoleil, Meghan Brown, Eleanor Guy, Owen
Hinton, Andrew McLeod, Jason Moore, Ryan Moore, William
Parry, Korol Pikulik, Liam Corrigan Ross.
Emily Adams, Hannah Billedeau,
Hannah Black, Sophia Crawford Bald, Annie Corrigan Ross, Payge Dayler, Jory Harris,
Claire Johnson, Kira Keith, Tayla Keith, Alexandra Kuniewski, Elizabeth
Laplante, Katie Laplante, Sydney Marion, Isabel Reader, Emma Reynolds, Kaija
Robillard, Emma Robitaille, Alyssa Salway, Tori St. Amant, Anastasia
Stevens, Eden Stora Samantha Tate, Sarah Watt are the youth
dancers who perform in rotating schedules throughout the run.
Director and Choreographer David Connolly demonstrates an obvious
flare for pantomimes as he delivers a winning production. Credited with such
past Drayton Entertainment hits as Disney’s High School Musical, Dance
Legends, Miss Saigon, Crazy For You and, most recently, Legally Blonde:
The Musical, Connolly has again succeeded in mounting a production that
captivates audiences.
Music Director Michael Barber leads a phenomenal band through romantic ballads, clever comedic songs, and
show-stopping production numbers in a musical score that is perfectly crafted
to accompany this whimsical story. The Band features Barber on Keys I, Matt Lima on Bass Dave
Thompson on Guitar, David Myers on Keys II and Craig Snowden
on Percussion.
Jean-Claude Olivier has designed
an extraordinary set that includes a fantastic rendition of the Jolly Roger
pirate ship. His vision of the iconic moments in this classic tale will
undoubtedly resonate with audiences. Lighting Designer Simon Day has created a visibly dreamy mood for
the production with layers of complexity that are achieved through unique use
of light. Costume Designer Angela
Vanderveen has brilliantly captured the essence of each character. Her
costumes are full of vibrant colors to make each character stand out
beautifully. Fight Director Joe Bostick adds the final theatrical touches to this
wonderful show. The characters in this production soar through the air courtesy of
the renowned aerial experts at ZFX Flying Effects.
“I couldn’t
think of a better show to launch what promises to be an exceptional summer of
entertainment on the shores of Georgian Bay,” says Mustakas. “Peter Pan
is a high-flying fantasy that’s perfect for summer and offers plenty of family
fun.”
Peter Pan is proudly
sponsored by Elmvale Jungle Zoo. Media Sponsors are CHAY Today 93.1
and 104.1 The Dock. The Design Sponsor is Midland Tours Inc. The
Youth Theatre Education Sponsor is TD Canada Trust. The 2014 Season
Media Sponsor is CTV.
With many
dates already sold out, theatregoers are encouraged to book seats for Peter
Pan as soon as possible. Tickets are $42 for adults and $25
for Youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are $34.
HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Peter Pan is onstage now through June 21st. Tickets can be
purchased online at www.kingswharftheatre.com,
in person at the Box Office, or by calling (705) 549-5555 or toll free 1-855- DRAYTON (372-9866).
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