New BRSC musical a delight for all
ages
By Jeff Eason
Since moving from the small Blowing Rock Elementary School
stage to the grand arena of the Mariam and
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Zach Brown, Chris Wright, Hannah
Elizabeth Fuller and Tucker Green star in Peter Pan.
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Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center, the Blowing Rock Stage Company
has been able to produce more and more elaborate productions.
The company’s latest show, Peter Pan, takes the possibilities
of the new stage to incredible heights, literally.
The BRSC production of Peter Pan is on stage now through August
9th. Tickets are on sale now.
Of all the stage productions seen in the High Country this summer,
Peter Pan is truly the one that is equally entertaining to both
kids and adults. Kids will love the high-flying maneuvers, the
hilarious pirates and the non-stop action. Adults will appreciate
the gentle love story between Peter and Wendy and the play’s
theme of holding onto the magic of out youth as we grow older.
Amid the tumultuous scenes of pirates, Indians and a tick-tocking
crocodile, actress Hannah Elizabeth Fuller holds the play’s
emotional center as Wendy, the oldest of the Darling children
and surrogate mother to Neverland’s tribe of lost boys. A
freshman at Appalachian State, Fuller tackles the complex role
with a veteran’s savvy, making Wendy wisely maternal yet
wide-eyed and romantic.
Making his BRSC debut, Chris Wright brings a lot of things to
the title role of Peter Pan, not the least of which is experience.
He portrayed Peter Pan at the Springer Opera House in Columbus,
Georgia, and reprises the role in Blowing Rock with a sense of
ease and confidence. Whether it is belting out the cocky song
“I’ve Got to Crow,” sword fighting with Hook, or
flying on a wire across the stage, Wright is clearly in his element.
His contagious laugh and boastful yet loveable persona help make
this stage show one to shout about.
Actor Jim Ballard has become a BRSC regular over the past two
summer seasons and starred in the title role in last year’s
world premiere of Moses Cone: The Denim King. As Mr. Darling he
is understandably understated. As Captain Hook, however, he lets
loose with one of the funniest performances ever seen on the BRSC
stage. With seasoned vets such as Gary Lee Smith, Viki Boyle,
Derek Gagnier and Ed Pilkington serving in Ballard’s troupe
of pirates, the laughs come fast and furious whenever the Jolly
Roger’s crew is on stage.
Peter Pan is that rare musical that is perfectly balanced between
action/plot and vocal numbers, several of which feature eight
or more singers at once. The trio of pirate songs (“Hook’s
Tango,” “Hook’s Tarantella” and “Hook’s
Waltz”) are delightfully daffy songs featuring Ballard
and his band of bonzo buccaneers spilling over the stage and
into the aisles.
The musical also features tunes such as “I Won’t Grow
Up,” “Wendy” and “Neverland” that have
classics of the American stage.
For the Blowing Rock Stage Company, the production of Peter
Pan is a milestone as it marks the first time that the company
has utilized flying effects at the new Hayes Performing Arts
Center. With the help of ZFX, Inc., the flying scenes are smooth
and flawless, helping to create an illusion of magic to the
proceedings. Combine that with the wonderful costumes and the
expansive sets and you have the makings of a perfect night at
the theatre.
Interestingly, in an era where the politically correct paintbrush
has whitewashed most of the stereotyped images of our past (try
finding a copy of Disney’s Song of the South on DVD), Peter
Pan retains British author J.M. Barrie’s original ideas
of what Native Americans were like. You could never write a
musical today with a song and dance number such as Pan’s
“Ugh-a-Wugg,” a fact that makes it all the more appealing
to see it performed on stage. Of course, if Barrie’s fantasy
makes Native Americans appear a little silly, it makes pirates
seem outrageously foolish.
Directed by BRSC producing artistic director Kenneth Kay, Peter
Pan stars Hannah Elizabeth Fuller as Wendy, Zach Brown as John,
Melanie A. Miller as Liza, Tucker Green as Michael, Aaron Scott
as Nana/the Crocodile, Kim Cozort as Mrs. Darling/Grownup Wendy,
Jim Ballard as Mr. Darling/Captain Hook, Chris Wright as Peter
Pan, Anneliese Moffit as the Ostrich, Blake Ervin as Slightly,
Matthew Delaney as Tootles, Hunter McConnell as Curly, Lyle
Sterne as Nibs, Colton Courtney as 1st Twin, Patrick Coston
as 2nd Twin, Gary Lee Smith as Mr. Smee, Catherine Ledford as
Tiger Lily, Melvin Tunstall III as Indian Chief, Derek Gagnier
as Starkey, Ben Corbett as Cecco, Ed Pilkington as Noodler,
Gordon McConnell as Mullins, Mark Allen Woodard as Jukes and
Kaitlin Maria Felts as Jane.
Indian Dancers include Kaitlin Maria Felts, Alex Genther, Melody
Harmon, Amanda McNeice, Annalieve Moffitt, Catie L. Moss, Kevin
Nulph, Ashley Poag, Alexa Raybould and Chandler Walpole.
Tickets & Times
Performance times of Peter Pan are July 24 at 2 & 8
p.m., July 25 at 8 p.m., July 26 at 2 & 8 p.m., July 27
at 2 p.m., July 30 at 8 .p.m, July 31 at 2 & 8 p.m., Aug.
1 at 8 p.m., Aug. 2 at 2 & 8 p.m., Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. The
show has been extended through August 9. Tickets are $32, $14
students and are available now by calling the Box Office at
(828) 295-9627.
You may pay by credit card or by cash (in person). Tickets can
also be purchased online at www.HayesCenter.org by credit card.
Special group rates are also available. Season and Flex Passes
can be purchased and used throughout the entire ‘08 season.
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