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Boston audiences are in for a treat this fall, as the spectacular new threesixty° stage production of PETER PAN, J M Barrie's classic story performed in a state-of-the-art theater tent, flies into Boston for a limited six-week engagement, beginning Tuesday, October 18, 2011. More than 500,000 people on two continents have enjoyed this theatrical experience Conceived by an award-winning creative team and featuring 23 actors, stunning puppets, epic music, dazzling flying sequences performed in the world's first 360-degree CGI theater set, PETER PAN is an extraordinary experience. The Boston engagement of the timeless masterpiece is presented by threesixty° entertainment.
One of the most striking elements of this new production is the setting in which it is presented. The threesixty° Theatre, a 1,300 seat theater tent, allows for performance "in the round" and will stand on City Hall Plaza, Boston.The entire interior of the tent is lit with more than 15,000 square feet of Hi-Resolution video -- three times the size of Imax screens -- so that both cast and audience are immersed in a CGI Neverland. When Peter and Wendy fly to Neverland, the audience flies with them over 400 square miles of virtual London and beyond."We are excited to work with threesixty to bring this state of the art event to City Hall Plaza. A magical production of this timeless story will entertain and bring delight to people of all ages. This really builds on the success of the Big Apple Circus, activates the plaza with even more family friendly entertainment, and provides yet another reason to visit this great city during the holiday season," remarked Mayor Menino."
Robert Butters, threesixty° producer, said, "We are excited that Peter Pan and The threesixty° Theatre will be performing in Boston this fall. We couldn't be happier to be centrally located on City Hall Plaza, right in the heart of Boston!"The threesixty° PETER PAN first captivated audiences in London during its premiere sixteen-week sold out engagement in May, 2009 in Kensington Gardens, where J M Barrie was first inspired to write the story. Since then a parade of international celebrities have also enthusiastically attended with their families, including a Royal Gala attended by their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (Prince Charles and Camilla). Since coming to the United States in late April 2010 American audiences have embraced the show in San Francisco, Orange County, Atlanta and Chicago.threesixty° entertainment, a theatrical Production Company based in London with Charlie Burnell, Matthew Churchill, and Robert Butters as principals, commissioned a first class creative team to develop this production of PETER PAN. The cast of PETER PAN features members of the original London production joined by American actors, making it a truly international company.
One of the London Observer's "Hot 10 Must Do" events for 2009, the show was described by The Daily Express as "An immensely thrilling ride. A gem to be enjoyed whether you are 8, 18 or 80." Robert Hurwitt in the San Francisco Chronicle wrote, "As promised, the high- and low-tech special effects in the threesixty° Theatre are spectacular and highly entertaining. Richard Stayton in the Los Angeles Times wrote, "A multimedia, immersive "Peter Pan" provides enough spectacle and aerial acrobatics to compete with any Cirque show. It is the ultimate kid-friendly environment for the ultimate kid-friendly play - tiered rows near the stage locate every playgoer within a 360-degree circle of action, providing intimate close-ups of the performers and sensational CGI flying simulations and spectacular video projections." David Littlejohn in the Wall St. Journal said that PETER PAN is "unforgettable. Visually dazzling. Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and her two brothers fly against an unbelievably complex computer-generated cyclorama.
Peter Pan, The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up was created by Scottish novelist and playwright J M Barrie. One night, Peter flies into the London nursery of the Darling children, Wendy, John and Michael, teaches them to fly and leads them to the magical Neverland, "second to the right and straight on till morning," where they live with Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys and meet the notorious Captain Hook.The tale of Peter Pan has been adapted many times since then including the Walt Disney animated film and a Broadway musical. However, it was not until this 2009 production, presented by threesixty° entertainment, that a production was performed in London's Kensington Gardens, where J M Barrie was first inspired to create him and where the original statue of Peter Pan has stood since 1912. This 21st century PETER PAN mixes history and magic in equal measure to present a Peter Pan story for adults and children alike.
PETER PAN, directed by Ben Harrison and designed by William Dudley, is adapted by Tanya Ronder from the Barrie story, with music composed by Benjamin Wallfisch. Dudley has received more theatre awards and accolades in the United Kingdom than any theatre artist save Judi Dench. Choreography is by Fleur Darkin, sound design by Gregory Clarke, lighting design by Mark Henderson, fight direction by Nicholas Hall, puppetry design by Sue Buckmaster and illusions by Paul Kieve.By arrangement with the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and Samuel French Limited, this production of PETER PAN is produced by Charlie Burnell, Matthew Churchill, and Robert Butters for threesixty° entertainment.About this production of PETER PAN:· 12 projectors, delivering 360 degree projection · 10 million pixels · 15,000 square feet of CGI · 400 square miles of virtual London circa 1904 were rendered · The largest surround CGI venue in the world · The world's first fully 360-degree projected movie for live theater performance · The tent, which stands 100 feet high, was shipped via boat, 6,000 miles from London to San Francisco. · 200 computers took four weeks to create the images - it would have taken eight years for a single computer to render
Theater patrons are also encouraged as well to enhance their trip to Neverland with food and beverage available in the Pavilion. (Please note however no outside food or beverage is allowed on site). At some performances, the audience can begin their journey even before the performance commences. PETER PAN is accompanied by a behind the scenes "Into Neverland" tour given weeklyPerformances begin on Tuesday, October 18. Performances are Tuesday through Fridays at 7:00 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM; and Sundays at 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM (note exceptions: added matinees at 2:00 PM on Wed., Oct. 26 and Friday, Nov. 25; no 4:30 PM show on Sun., Oct. 31; no performances on Wed., Nov. 23 and Thurs., Nov. 24).Tickets go on sale Monday, June 13 at 10 a.m. for performances October 18 - November 27. Individual tickets range in price from $35 to $75, depending on performance. Premium Ticket Packages are also available, and include a prime seat location, a tote bag and a commemorative souvenir program. Tickets are available online at www.peterpantheshow.com/boston and by phone at 888-PPANTIX (1-888-772-6849).For groups of 10 or more, call (617) 532-1116. "Into Neverland" tours will be available Saturdays throughout the run.
