Peter Pan Soars Into the Pollard Theatre
{GUTHRIE, OK.} – The Pollard Theatre, Oklahoma’s only year-round resident theatre company, continues its 21st Season with the Tony Award Winning musical Peter Pan, based on J.M. Barrie’s beloved stories. A musical fantasy which has delighted audiences the world over, Peter Pan opens April 4th and runs through May 10th at the Pollard Theatre in historic downtown Guthrie.
This magical musical adventure tells the story of Wendy, John and Michael Darling who meet a mysterious boy in their nursery. The boy, named Peter Pan, lives on a far away magical island called Never Land. With the aid of Peter’s devoted fairy Tinkerbell, the Darling children fly off to Never Land and have a series of adventures. On the island, the children are met by the orphaned “Lost Boys”, rescue the beautiful Indian princess Tiger Lily and thwart the plans of the sinister Captain Hook. Despite their adventures, the Darlings must return home and Peter must remain in Never Land, proving himself the “boy who would never grow up.”
Peter Pan is based on the 1904 stage play of the same name, written by Sir James M. Barrie. The musical premiered on Broadway in October of 1954 at the Winter Garden Theatre and ran for 152 performances. The original production was directed by the legendary Jerome Robbins and featured Mary Martin as Peter and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook, both of whom received Tony Awards for their performances. Shortly following its close on Broadway, Peter Pan was remounted for television and performed in a historic, live color broadcast in 1955. The score for Peter Pan, the collaborative effort of lyricists Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green and composers Mark Chaplan and Jules Styne, features I Won’t Grow Up, Never Land & I’m Flying.
Pollard Artistic Theatre Director, W. Jerome Stevenson (Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, La Cage aux Folles) will direct and serve as Lighting Designer for Peter Pan. The Peter Pan production team also includes Music Director Bart Varner (Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Ragtime) Scenic & Costume Designer Michael James (La Cage aux Folles, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Properties Designer Timothy Stewart (The Music Man, Ragtime) and Production Stage Manager Katie King (Ragtime, La Cage aux Folles). The Pollard is proud to welcome gifted choreographer Hui Cha Poos for Peter Pan. Poos, a member of the dance faculty at the University of Central Oklahoma, has taught in London, Japan, Canada, Los Angeles as well as Oklahoma City. Her performance credits include appearances in Batman & Robin and Happy Texas as well as music video credits for Monica, CandyMan and choreography for Brian McKnight.
Taking flight in the role of Peter Pan is Renee Anderson, who is making her Pollard Theatre debut in the coveted title role. Anderson, a graduate of the Oklahoma City University has amassed an impressive resume in regional theatre including Hello Dolly (Minnie Fay), My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle) and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy). For Anderson, the role of Peter Pan at the Pollard is an added triumph. “I’ve been looking to do this role for years. Peter Pan is incredibly challenging and each rehearsal is proof of that fact; yet as we build toward opening, I am really looking forward to the final product,” explained Anderson.
In the role of Peter’s arch-nemesis Captain Hook, the Pollard has enlisted the talents of resident costumer Michael James. James, who is a founding member of the Pollard’s Resident Company, takes obvious pleasure in this classic villain. “This is the kind of role that a good actor can revel in and he [James] was really the obvious choice for me. He just brings so much to this kind of character. He’s been a real pleasure to watch,” explained Stevenson.
Peter Pan also features Chelcy Costine, who made her Pollard debut in Ragtime, in the role of Tiger Lily. In the Pollard production of Peter Pan, Tiger Lily and her band of Indians are played entirely by young women. Choreographer Poos was delighted with the possibilities this choice provided. “We really wanted to present this idea of these feminine warriors and the Indians really emanate a powerful energy that works in nice contrast to the Lost Boys,” explained Poos.
In the Pollard production, the Darling children are played by Scott Noll (John), Chelsea Yeager (Michael) and Rachel Brawley, who makes her Pollard debut in the role of Wendy. The cast also includes James Hughes, Rebecca Wooldridge, James Dickson, Timothy Stewart, Jake DeTommaso, Matthew Glazener, Robert Bradshaw, Michael Edsel, Randy Lunsford, James Nicholson, Jonathon Young, Ivan Kohlman, Tanner Smalley, Connor Johnson, Dalton Bishop, Robyn Montgomery, Eloise Kropp, Katie Marshall and Michelle Owens.
Peter Pan, a Lesson in Believing, is presented as part of The Pollard Theatre’s 21st Season: Life Lessons, which will conclude with Beehive: The 60’s Musical. The Pollard Theatre is produced by the Guthrie Arts and Humanities Council with assistance from the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Rose Rock Bank and Union Bank are the proud 2007-08 Season Sponsors. Production assistance for Peter Pan is provided by the John Vance Auto Group, Mike Denney Chevrolet, Acton’s Furniture, Granny Had One and the Ringrose Clinic with additional support by Lester & Marilyn Branch and Mike & Liz Sterkel. The Pollard Theatre is a recipient of an Organizational Support Grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council for its 21st Season.
Tickets for the Pollard production of Peter Pan are $25.00 - $15.00 with groups of 10 or more eligible for group discounts. Student Rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain for only $8.00. The playing schedule for Peter Pan is Thursday through Saturday at 8PM, with Sunday matinees at 2PM. For more information or to purchase tickets to Peter Pan, visit the Pollard Theatre Box Office at 120 W. Harrison Ave. in the heart of downtown Guthrie or call (405) 282-2800. Tickets are also available online at www.thepollard.org.
