GPAs Peter Pan The Musical Takes Flight

The cast and crew of Grand Performing Arts transported the audience on a magical flight to Neverland where all sorts of exciting happenings occur. Children learn to fly, encounter fairies and a crocodile that ticks, get pursued by the evil Captain Hook, and have experiences they will never forget.

Opening night was Friday, May 24th, and played to an auditorium filled to the brim at Cal State Theater in Hayward. The cast of colorful characters included all ages and there were two different casts (Neverland and London), both featuring talented leads and enthusiastic ensemble groups.

The crystal clear vocals of Peter Pan played by Makenna Faddis enthralled the crowd as well as the wonderful flying effects (provided by ZFX) which saw the young actress zoom across the stage at a substantial height with the poise and grace of an accomplished acrobat.

The well-known classical musical tells the story of Peter Pan, the boy who does not want to grow up, who goes on a quest to find stories with which to entertain his mischievous band of young compatriots, the “Lost Boys” in the faraway island of Neverland.

The original Peter Pan play written by Sir J.M. Barrie, first opened in 1904 and became the novel Peter and Wendy in 1911.

While some aspects of the original story are considered offensive it has been changed to be inclusive and focus on the core concept of grappling with the challenges of growing up and adult life while still connecting with the joy and freedom to set the imagination free. The tale is filled with fascinating and endearing characters, exciting battles, gritty pirates, fabulous fairies, and above all else - fantastic imagination. Peter Pan’s adventures capture the essence of childhood and a spirit of playfulness and boldness along with a smidgen of rebellion against the journey to adulthood and a hint of disdain for the confines of responsibility that it brings.Sir J.M. Barrie’s engaging story connects with a rich score by Morris “Moose” Charlap and Jule Styne with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Memorable and noteworthy songs include “Tender Shepherd,” “I’m Flying” and “Distant Melody.”

A delightful musical featuring high-spirited singing pirates, daring swordfights, and fantastical imaginary mermaids and warriors, Peter Pan is a wonderful cocktail that is filled with tot of magic, adventure, joy and a smattering of fairy dust but it also includes a spot of sadness, loss, heartache and a dash of nostalgia.

The set design, lighting, costumes and props vividly brought the story to life and the mesmerizing twinkling stars while the children were put to bed were changed to lush green foliage of the island seamlessly and with the added dramatic changes in light and color was a veritable feast for the eyes.

The story goes that the “Lost Boys” were brought to Neverland when they fell out of their prams which is apparently not something that little girls are likely to do. It is the lure of a well told story that brings Peter to the real world and the Darling household as well as having Mrs Darling inadvertently remove his shadow which he is eager to reclaim.

In the opening scene of the play Tinkerbell the fairy, represented by a traveling pinpoint of dazzling light, arrives as the Darling children are settling down to sleep in their London home. Tinkerbell flits around the stage and lights up various set-pieces, finally coming to rest on a drawer where Peter Pan himself can find the shadow he’s lost.

When Peter Pan arrives he encounters the charming and caring Wendy Darling and her two younger brothers John and Michael. He convinces Wendy to fly off with him to be a mother to him and his gang of lost boys in Neverland.

The dramatically clad Captain Hook, one of the most recognizable classical villains is brought boisterously to life by Henry Cole and looks threatening in his feather decked hat. Tick-Tock the crocodile lumbers hungrily around the stage and the costume with the ever-gaping mouth is highly appropriate given that after swallowing the hand of Captain Hook (who lost it while battling Peter Pan), Tick-Tock has high hopes of devouring the rest of him. Fortunately for Hook, the crocodile also swallowed an alarm clock at some point, and its constant ticking is an onerous warning of his impending ingestion.

While Captain Hook plots his revenge on Peter Pan, Wendy becomes somewhat disenchanted with the concept of “never growing up” and begins to yearn for the reality of life back home.

The choreography for such an expansive cast was expertly executed providing cast members of all skill levels with an opportunity to be included. The talented dance movements displayed by Tiger Lily (Mikayla Freeman) did not go unnoticed and overall the atmosphere was fun, energetic and creative.

In an “ edge of your seat” sort of moment for the audience in the first Sunday show, cast and crew realized that two of the cables attached to the brothers, John and Michael, had become entangled meaning that they would not be able to fly. Everyone waited with bated breath while the little boys were deftly moved to the wings for adjustments and those left on stage carried on the dialogue like true professionals. There were exclamations of joy and spontaneous clapping when the littlest fellow walked back out on to the stage just in time to express his happiest thought “Christmas!” and take flight with a beaming smile!

Kristi Grand, Artistic Director and Choreographer for the show commented on her (Insert heart explosion sound here) feelings later in ‘a grateful moment of reflection’ post on Facebook “I keep thinking back to Sunday’s show and the determination and grace the Peter Pan Neverland Cast and Crew showed to ensure that actors got up in the air by “Christmas!”! Typing this now nearly brings me to tears. By far one of my most treasured moments of all time will be the uproar of cheers from the booth to the front of the house and behind the stage as we all celebrated a live theater moment together!” and she added “Theater is my favorite. It’s messy, it’s beautiful it’s tiring and a lot of work, but mostly... it’s pure magic.”

“So proud of the Cast and crew! “ responded Mom Melissa Nackley, “ So I especially loved my son’s comment when I asked him how he felt after he became aware his flying rope was twisted - " fine" he said "we knew the crew were trying to fix it so we just kept thinking happy thoughts so we could fly!" Magic! I believe!”

There were several Dougherty Elementary students cast in the production and a number of parents served as volunteers affectionately referred to as ‘Backstage Ninjas’. One of these volunteers, Rachna Wadhwani had two daughters in the show and had the opportunity to be a member of the audience on Sunday and said “So magical !! Watched the matinee show of Peter Pan and it’s so amazing watching the whole thing instead of bits from the sideline while bringing in my little Darlings for their cue. So happy to see our friends and teachers supporting the kids.”

Congratulations were extended to Dina Rhoades who was awarded the Gypsy Robe – which is presented to a stand-out ensemble member who shows motivation, respect and a determination to master materials and takes the ensemble role as a serious commitment and shows up as a leader in all of the ensemble rehearsals.

Randy Fortes, GPA Leadership Director, conducted some backstage interviews with the crew between shows and one of the participants named Alexa Windom, who is in the ensemble as Pirate, said that she had been a part of GPA productions since the second grade and 5 years later she is still involved When asked what keeps bringing her back she sad” I love the environment and the energy and just how fun and active it is and how much you get to do and how inclusive and welcome you feel.”

Kristi Grand is in the process of handing over the reins of GPA and when Alexa was asked if there was one thing that she would like to say to Ms Kristi she responded “Thank you for making me a more confident person because when I was super young I was super shy and I didn’t talk to anybody so I didn’t have very many friends and being with GPA helped build my confidence and I broke out of my shell and met more people and it’s just so much better.”

Alexa’s Dad, Ronald Windom who also volunteers as a Backstage Ninja said that GPA is a “warm, loving and supporting environment that inspires the kids to just find their voice and I love seeing that for all the kids.” He is thankful to Kristi for creating a wonderful family environment where both children and volunteers can feel comfortable.

In her Director’s Note for the show Kristi said” Thank you to each and every one of you that supports my dream of never growing up and living in a giant Neverland of my own. What an absolute dream I live.”

Currently registration for the Lion King Jnr. Summer Production is still open for ages 8-14.

Since the Peter Pan play was bequeathed by Sir Barrie to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, every ticket purchased for the show contributes to wards making the hospital the incredible center of hope and healing it is today.

The enthusiasm for the Peter Pan musical demonstrates that there is definite appeal in being able to fly and never growing up. After all, who would not want to become a flying, ageless superhero who goes on exciting adventures on a magical island where you get to tap dance with your own shadow.