May 29, 30, June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 2005

“But how will you make Peter fly at the Kitsap Forest Theater?” queried the 2004 Players’ Committee members. “That’s not our problem to figure out – that is the production team’s challenge!” answered co-producers Gala Lindvall and Nancy Estill. Here was director Craig Schieber’s answer:

“ . . . using your imagination”. It is the imagination all of us used as children at play. On the playground there were no limitation to the worlds we could create and the adventures we could experience. Children fly everyday. When we become adults we forget how to fly if we forget how to use our imaginations . . . “

And thus began one of the most creative and successful productions at the Kitsap Forest Theater. Not only did Peter and the others fly – Peter flew 4 different ways.

This Broadway version of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan tells the story of Wendy (Jenny Estill), Michael (Bryan Hanner) and John (Sullivan Brown) Darling and their adventures with Peter Pan (Cooper Harris-Turner). Enthralled by Peter’s stories of pirates, mermaids, and fairies, the Darling children fly off to Neverland to join Peter and the Lost Boys in their escapades with the Wild Ones and Captain Hook’s (Brian King) “bloody buccaneers”. In this classic tale, whimsy conquers reason, children still believe in fairies, and the young at heart prevail. Well-loved musical numbers include “I’ve Gotta Crow” and “I Won’t Grow Up.”

The opening lyrical lullaby, “Tender Shepherd”, highlighted the vocal talents of Mr. and Mrs. Darling (Tom Randall and Christy Gordon) and Liza (Naomi Morgan). The Darling household was completed by the comical presence of their dog, Nana, played endearingly by Nicole Cooper.

Peter and Tinkerbell (Ashleigh Emmons) first take flight in the Darling’s nursery by “running up the bookcases” on camouflaged steps built into the sturdy flats designed and constructed by set designer, Chris Stanley. Peter, Wendy, Michael and John next “flew” encased within their own individual clouds designed and built by Ken Michels. Taking flight for a third time, Peter and the Darling children flew to Neverland on the gold lamé clad shoulders of Scott Baker, Will Gray, David Gordon and Craig McCoy (all four doubled as pirates). Though these first three excursions in flight delighted the audience, there were audible gasps when Peter took flight in the second act during his fight with Captain Hook (skillfully and wonderfully played by Brian King). This feat entailed harnessing Peter under his costume, safely attaching him to a cable spanning the stage, and propelling him across the stage using a pulley system powered by two men running backstage (designed by Jamie Estill and Ken Michels and powered by Curtis Hanner and Tom Randall). Peter even used a sword to cut off Captain Hook’s arm while in flight!

The fabulous stage combat was choreographed and taught by the multi-talented Ken Michels and required hours of rehearsal time for all of the actors involved (almost the entire cast of 49). From hand-to-hand scuffles to all-out sword combat, the Lost Boys led by Peter, the Pirates led by Captain Hook and Smee (Mick Roraback) and the Wild Ones led by Tiger Lily (Amy Beth Lindvall Nolte) filled the stage with riveting action from scene to scene. Pirate Marion Allred (a Player since 1972) remembers this role as one of her favorites!

Intermission sales for Peter Pan provided an opportunity for audience participation. The Lost Boys & Wild Ones sold brilliantly colored bells that the audience used later in the show to help revive Tinkerbell. Audience members totaled 4616 for the 8 shows.

In an email to the cast and crew following the show, Brian King (Capt. Hook) shared his thoughts (excerpted below)

To the entire cast, I say BRAVO ... there truly was “something grand to the idea.”

I was enthralled and impressed with Cooper, the gamest young actor I’ve met in a long time; Jenny, the amazing spirit and talent who provided us with such a strong cornerstone (thanks for the workouts, J!); Amy Beth, our sunny soul; Pirate Elizabeth Dahl’s great comic energy and wry theatrical sensibilities; Naomi’s beauty and natural abilities; Ashleigh’s cantankerous Tinkerbell, and the gung-ho performance of our young gang of “Lost Boys” . . .

Thanks to Craig Schieber (Director), who dragged me out of the mothballs and stuffed me into his vision for this show; to Steve Wall (Music Director) I offer my kudos and condolences for maintaining such composure and optimism while I brutally savaged all those marvelous notes. Thank you, Guy Caridi (Choreographer), for reminding me what the difference is between my left foot and my right foot during rehearsals – I’ve enjoyed following in your footsteps. Thanks to Mary Duckering (Costumer), whose gorgeous costumes grandly projected the vision of Neverland and grazie to Debbie Valenta (Keyboardist), whose frozen frantic fingers kept us covered onstage while we pirates lurched through our songs.

So, one and all, as we fly farther and farther away from Neverland, grow up and grow old, I hope that you will all remember the special spring we spent together, and the special message that Peter Pan offers to everyone who makes room in their hearts to keep it.

Adieu, Adieu; Capt. Hook