Published: November 16, 2009 02:14 pm      

Footlite Musicals to present ‘Peter Pan’

Footlite Musicals will present the classic family musical “Peter Pan” November 20, 21, 27, 28, and 29, and December 4, 5, and 6 at the Hedback Community Theater, 1847 North Alabama St., Indianapolis.

Curtain times are 8 p.m. for the Friday and Saturday performances and 2:30 p.m. for the two Sunday matinees.

“Peter Pan” is based on the play of the same name by James M. Barrie, with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green and music by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne. First produced on Broadway with Mary Martin and more recently a major hit starring Cathy Rigby, this is one of the world’s most celebrated musicals with such great characters as Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, the children Wendy, Michael and John, pirates, and Indians.

The original 1954 Broadway production, starring Mary Martin as Peter and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook, earned Tony Awards for both stars. NBC produced telecasts of the production in 1955, ‘56, and ‘60 with the same stars.

Director Camilla Upchurch has broken from tradition and cast Colin Smith as Peter. The role has usually been portrayed by an actress, including such stars as Maude Adams, Eva Le Gallienne, Mary Martin, Sandy Duncan, and Cathy Rigby. Others featured in the cast of nearly 50 are Melissa Ai-Ling Walsh as Wendy Darling, Julian Ramos as John Darling, Jack Koester as Michael Darling, and Matt Patterson as the infamous Captain Hook.

The musical is being produced by Scott Hainey, with John Phillips serving as the vocal director and Larry BoneBright as the musical conductor. Others on the production staff include choreographer Christopher Noffke, costume designer Stephen Hollenbeck, scenic designer Brenda Upchurch, and lighting designer R. Brian Noffke.

All seats are reserved, and reservations may be made by calling the Footlite box office at 926-6630. Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for senior citizens ages 65 and older, $15 for students ages 13 through college age, and $10 for children ages 12 and younger.

Footlite will hold a “Peter Pan” brunch before the Nov. 29 performance where attendees may meet members of the cast and tour the set. Details about the brunch are listed on Footlite’s website at www.footlite.org.