Looking Glass Theatre Presents PETER PAN, 10/20-12/12

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Peter Pan (A Play), newly adapted by Amanda Denhert from the books by J.M. Barrie and directed by Amanda Dehnert. The production runs October 20 - December 12, 2010 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The press opening is Saturday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m.

Nationally-known director Amanda Dehnert (Trinity Rep, Arena Stage, Oregon Shakespeare Festival) will direct her adaptation of Peter Pan, the classic tale from J.M. Barrie's books of the boy who wouldn't grow up.  Playful and darkly comic, Dehnert's adaptation brings innovative theatricality, aerial arts, and a soulful understanding of yearning and regret to this legendary childhood adventure of pirates, fairies and fantasy. 

The world premiere adaptation captures the delight and innocence and fears of childhood-the simultaneous sensations of both amazement and terror when suddenly flying; the panicked prospect of confronting the worst fears and nightmares; the safety of having a home and a bed to return to at the end of the long, adventurous night. These same qualities inform many Lookingglass plays-and are even written into its mission as a Company. 
 
Artistic Director Andrew White comments, "This play is partly about what it is to be a child; to believe in flight and impossible things; and the delirious, delicious thrill of playing at fighting and dying.  It's about the sheer delight of play, that all-out visceral kind of play that we've all experienced as kids, where you throw your whole body into the battle, dive onto the grass and somersault and come up and fight some more.  But it's also about becoming a grownup and a parent, and how some kids can't wait to grow up and others refuse to become a grownup.  At Lookingglass, we try to remind ourselves as often as possible that playing is one of the ways we stay young."
 
Peter Pan features Ensemble Members Thomas J. Cox (Captain Hook) and Raymond Fox (Mr. Darling); Molly Brennan (Smee), Amy J. Carle (Mrs. Darling), Ericka Ratcliff (Lily), Adeoye (Clown), Kay Kron (Wendy), Jamie Abelson (John), Alex Weisman (Michael), Aislinn Mulligan (Tinkerbell), Sarah Fornace (Jane), Matt Holzfeind (Slightly), Ryan Nunn (Peter), Nate Trinrud (Tootles), Kelley Abell (Curly), Kareem Bandealy (Nibs) and Royer Bockus (Nana). 
 
Designers include Dan Stratton, scenic; Melissa Torchia, costume; Lee Fiskness, lighting; Andrew Pluess, composition and sound; Michael Griggs, sound design; William Anderson, properties; and Matt Hawkins, choreography.
 
Peter Pan (A Play)-Dates, Times and Ticket Information
Tickets are available online, www.lookingglasstheatre.org; by phone, (312) 337-0665; or at the Lookingglass Theatre box office, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  For more information and box office hours, visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org.
 
Previews of Peter Pan are October 20-29, 2010. The press opening is Saturday, October 30, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.  The production runs through December 12, 2010.  Tickets are $20-$62.  Target Saturday Matinees offer a limited number of buy one, get one free tickets which are available to all 3:00 p.m. Saturday matinees. This program is made possible with the generous support of Target, working with Lookingglass to make the arts accessible to all. A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID. (See FACT SHEET for full performance schedule.)  
 
True to its source material, Peter Pan (A Play) has brief moments of violence and will be most enjoyed by everyone ages 12 and up.  For younger children, parental guidance is suggested. 
 
Lookingglass Theatre is located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile shopping district inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  Discounted parking is available for Lookingglass patrons at both the nearby John Hancock Center and Olympia Centre Self Park (161 E. Chicago Ave.).
To purchase tickets, call the Lookingglass Theatre box office at (312) 337-0665 or visit lookingglasstheatre.org.
 
United Airlines is the production sponsor for Peter Pan (A Play). Arts education programs are supported by The JP Morgan Chase Foundation.
About Lookingglass Theatre Company
Inventive.  Collaborative.  Transformative.  Lookingglass Theatre Company was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students. 2010-2011 marks the company's 23nd anniversary season. Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. Lookingglass has staged 53 world premieres at 23 venues across Chicago, and garnered 49 Joseph Jefferson Awards and Citations.
 
Work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., and St. Louis.  Lookingglass Alice played earlier this season at The Actors Theatre of Louisville; Syracuse Stage and The ALLIANCE THEATRE in Atlanta. Around The World in 80 Days recently played at Centerstage in Baltimore and at Kansas City Repertory in Kansas City.  Lookingglass Originals have been produced across the United States.
 
The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003.  In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year.
 
Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Andrew White, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 22-member artistic ensemble, 15 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Lisa Naparstek Green. For more information, visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org.
 

 

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