Review: PETER PAN, JR. at Gettysburg Community Theatre
Catch the Green Cast or the Gold Cast or Both!
Based on the 1904 classic by J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan, Jr. features lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, music by Morris Charlap with additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Jule Styne. Gettysburg Community Theatre, now under the leadership of Lexi Connelly and Carrie Conklin, welcome audiences to venture to Neverland with Peter, the Darling children, and, of course, Tinkerbell. Under the direction of Buff Wills and Kyle Meisner with assistant director/stage manager Kai Dittrich and music director Carrie Conklin, two casts of young performers present Peter Pan, Jr. through May 17th.
The technical elements of the show come together beautifully. The set (by Michael Connelly), lighting (by Kai Dittrich), costumes (by Amy Eyler), sound, projections, and props (by Vanessa Rice) are effective and allow for swift scene changes. One of this reviewer’s favorite technical elements of this production is how Tinkerbell was part of the projections. Another aspect of this production that really stands out is the choreography by Kyle Meisner, which combines recognizable movements and postures, like Peter Pan’s signature pose, with movements that make each song even more magical.
This production of Peter Pan, Jr. features two stellar casts—the gold cast and the green cast. The gold cast includes Imogen Petters (Peter Pan), Ella Beyer (Wendy), Kalgin Kuhns (John), Robert Sachse (Michael), Hadley Petruzzellli (Captain Hook), Ashton Rhoads (Mr. Darling/Smee), Brooke Buser (Mrs. Darling/Jukes), Gracie Blackwell (Nana/Small Brave Girl), Jillian Ramsey (Liza/Tiger Lilly), Ocianna Sachse (Twin 1/Nibs), Daphnie McKeown (Twin 2/Slightly), Mayla Mickley (Curly), Katie Myers (Tootles), Morgan Grogan (Noodler Cecco), Meadow Collins (Starkey), Vivi Letendre (Brave Girl 1), and Ellie Buser (Brave Girl 2), with Caroline Edwards (Swing/Ensemble). The green cast includes Brody Rummel (Peter Pan), Isabella Nalewak (Wendy), Kalgin Kuhns (John), Sage Hull (Michael), Alysanna Lovell (Captain Hook), Cooper Grimmer (Mr. Darling/Smee), Rebekah Stoltzfoos (Mrs. Darling/Jukes), Samira Rangelova Bamba (Nana/Small Brave Girl), Hannah Hoptak (Liza/Tiger Lily), Teagan Hyder (Twin 1/Nibs), Willow Hardman (Twin 2/Slightly), Harper Coyle (Curly), Rhaegan Hyder (Tootles), Morgan Grogan (Noodler Cecco), Emma Luque Valmisa (Starkey), Leila Haller (Brave Girl 1), and Eliana Albright (Brave Girl 2).
This reviewer had the opportunity to see the green cast in action on opening night. The opening number, “Neverland”, set the tone for the performance, with energy and excitement that made the audience sit up and pay attention. Brody Rummel’s opening solo line is flawless, showcasing this young actor’s clear, beautiful voice and leaving the audience eager to hear more. As the rest of the cast joins in on “Neverland”, the audience can feel the sheer joy of the moment.
Throughout the show, each actor gets their chance to shine. The actors who portray the Brave Girls (Samira Rangelove Bamba, Leila Haller, and Eliana Albright), Pirates (Cooper Grimmer, Rebekah Stoltzfoos, Morgan Grogan, and Emma Luque Valmisa), and Lost Boys (Teagan Hyder, Willow Hardman, Harper Coyle, Rhaegan Hyder, and Caroline Edwards) do a wonderful job of acting as part of their group while also making their characters individuals with distinct personalities and ways of interacting with others and behaving in their scenes.
Hannah Hoptak’s fantastic facial expressions as Tiger Lily makes her performance one of this reviewer’s favorites of the evening. Alysanna Lovell is delightfully villainous as Captain Hook and handles difficult rhythms beautifully. Sage Hull, Kalgin Kuhns, and Isabella Nalewak are adorable as the Darling children Michael, John, and Wendy, respectively. Nalewak’s performance as Wendy is poised and graceful, providing a rich contrast to the youthful exuberance of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. Brody Rummel is wonderfully cast as Peter Pan. Rummel’s impish facial expressions combine with a gorgeous voice, well-crafted line delivery, and beautifully precise dance moves to bring Peter Pan to life.
Peter Pan, Jr. reminds us to look for the moments of joy and magic in our lives. Audiences will definitely want to catch both casts of this adorable production at Gettysburg Community Theatre. The green cast takes the stage Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 2pm. The gold cast performs Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2pm. Visit gettysburgcommunitytheatre.org to get your tickets before they sell out!
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