Beloved Family Musical PETER PAN Flies into Action January 30 at Performance Riverside
Come fly away for an evening of magic, wonder and adventure in Neverland with Peter Pan, the mischievously heroic boy who refuses to grow up. With lyrics byCarolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, music byMark Charlap and Jule Styne, based on the play by James M. Barrie, this is by far the most beloved staging of the story, which sings, dances and flies Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and the Darling children through fun and the adventure of fighting Captain Hook and his pirates. It's a musical treasure chest of songs like "Never Never Land," "I've Gotta Crow," and "I Won't Grow Up." The production is directed by Gary Krinke, choreographed by John Vaughan and musically directed by Allen Everman.
As early as 1905, a musical version of Peter Pan had appeared on the New York stage, but it was not until 1954 that the most popular stage version of Peter Pan would be born, thanks to the genius of producer Jerome Robbins. Based on J.M. Barrie's tale of the same name, this is the story of a boy who wouldn't grow up, and spent a life of high adventure in Neverland. The original production featured Mary Martin as Peter Pan, and opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1954 and ran for 152 performances. In 1979, a revival with Sandy Duncan playing the lead role in a production proved even more popular than the first one. Whether you come to recapture treasured childhood memories, or build new ones with the young people in your life, it's easy to see why children of all ages have been enthralled by this magical tale for over one hundred years.
"Peter Pan reaches the ‘youth, and joy, and freedom' inside of all of us." says Performance Riverside Producing Artistic Director Rey O'Day. "We must remind ourselves to make sure we all hold onto a little of what is young and joyous within ourselves, and to make sure the children in our lives do so as they grow up."
The Landis Performing Arts Center is located on the Riverside City College campus at 4800 Magnolia Avenue. Performances of Peter Pan are January 30, 31, February 6 and 7 at 8pm, and January 31, February 1, 7 and 8 at 2pm. Tickets are $25, $30, $37, and $43. A specially priced "Discovery Theatre" performance for school and senior groups is also available January 30 at 10am. For more information and to purchase tickets contact the Landis Box Office at 951-222-8100, or purchase online at www.performanceriverside.org.
