Peter Pan Takes Flight at the College of St. Benedict [AUDIO]

ST. JOSEPH - GREAT Theatre presents Peter Pan. The play is directed by Dennis Whipple, the Executive Artistic Director at GREAT Theatre. He also happens to be the writer for this adaptation of Peter Pan. This is the second draft of his script, which was originally written in 2008, and is based off the original book by J.M. Barrie.  But there are still some differences in GREAT Theatre's production.

There is one big difference to our version. We did eliminate the Indians. The character of Tiger Lily is still in the production, but she is now a lost girl, and she has a whole band of lost girls that band against the lost boys, and then become friends, and work together to beat Captain Hook.

Whipple says there is lots to look forward if you are going to see the play. From sword fights to high flying action, no piece was overlooked in one of the biggest productions put on all year, with one of the biggest casts of the year.

Peter Pan flies on stage; Peter, Michael, Wendy fly; and we even have flying mermaids. It's a high flying show so it's really entertaining, and unique. Also it is a big cast show. There is over sixty performers. It has a full live orchestra performing all of the songs, and the set is enormous. It's a fifty foot wide stage, and we've rented beautiful hand painted backdrops. It's quite the unique theater event.

ZFX Flying was hired to assist in the flying scenes. For every one actor that is flying around the stage, there are two people off stage running the wires, and tracks of the equipment. The actors partaking in the flying scenes have had twelve hours of training, on top of all of the rehearsals to prepare for the show.

All the action leads up to the final battle between Captain Hook and Peter Pan. Whipple says it's a scene he thinks kids, and adults of all ages will definitely enjoy.

The sword battle between Peter Pan and Hook is actually a flying sequence also, and we have some really funny, and really terrifically dangerous, and unique ways we are going to do that battle on the ship.

Whipple says while this production has been a big undertaking, everything has come together in the end.

Certainly getting everyone to rehearse, and practice for seven weeks, and then we've been working on the stage for almost two weeks now; practicing the flying, and the set changes, and adding costumes and microphones. It's a crazy endeavor, but I think we are creating something really special that audiences will enjoy.

The play will be at Escher Auditorium on the campus of College of St. Benedict. It starts tomorrow night (Friday), and will run for two weekends.

Tickets are $12 for a season member, $14 for students/children, $19 for seniors/educators/military/groups, and $23 for adults.

Show Times and Dates
Friday, Jan. 9 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 10 - 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 11 - 2:00p.m.
Tuesday Jan. 13** -  9:30 a.m. & Noon*
Wednesday Jan. 14** -  9:30 a.m. & Noon
Thursday Jan. 15** -  9:30 a.m. & Noon 
Friday, Jan. 16 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17 - 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 18 - 2:00 p.m.*

* ASL Performances
**School Matinees