The high-flying fantasy, Peter Pan, will delight children of all ages, when the boy won’t grow up swoops into Bryan Middle School Auditorium over the weekend of July 25th to 27th. DIY Teen Theatre, with a cast of 47 young actors from Elmhurst, brings to life the grand adventures of Peter and the Darling children, as they battle pirates, rescue an Indian warrior, frolic with mermaids, and tenderly care for a wild family of Lost Boys. This musical masterwork, with orchestrations from the recent Broadway revival, includes such favorites as "Never Never Land," "I Won't Grow Up" and "I'm Flying." With a little stage magic and a generous sprinkling of pixie dust, Peter Pan will thrill the immortal child in all of us!
Says director Helen Knudsen, “I’ve always loved the story of Peter Pan and have thought about bringing it to stage ever since our theatre group began. The production complexities in traditional staging of the show have always held me back.” Yet after watching a Broadway production of a newer show, Peter and the Star Catcher, Knudsen decided to revisit her favorite children’s story. “I realized that contemporary directors have all sorts of tricks up their sleeves for creating grand illusions on stage. I found simple ways to simulate the magic behind the story—really thinking outside the box to re-create it in a challenging performance space.” By aiming for simple but effective staging, Knudsen was able to put the focus of the show back where it belongs—the soaring beauty of the music and the talents of her young cast members.
This production enthusiastically embraces the magic of
childhood. The boy who never grew up is the child in all of us. Marvelous adventures await as Peter takes the audience on a journey to J.M. Barrie’s Never Land--for “It’s not on any chart, you must find it with your heart.”
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Over the past several summers, DIY Teen Theatre has evolved from a small group of friends interested in musicals into a dedicated and hardworking team of aspiring performers and theatre professionals. Something magical happens when young children work with teen mentors—the relationship goes beyond friendship as everyone works together to achieve an astonishing and professional quality theatre experience in Elmhurst. A full orchestra of skilled high-school/college musicians serves to inspire younger instrumentalists who see the show.
Peter Pan is directed by Helen Knudsen, with music direction by Bobby Dietz. The teen production staff includes assistant director Chris Knudsen; choreographer Darcy Kummerow; stage managers Morgan Taylor and Emily Knopf.
