Berkshire Theatre Group Stages PETER PAN at The Colonial, Now thru 8/18

Berkshire Theatre Group presents Peter Pan, Berkshire Theatre Group's 8th Annual Children's Theatre Production, and the 3rd Children's Theatre Production at the Colonial in Pittsfield. The production opens tonight, August 8th at 7pm and closes on August 18.

Join Peter, Wendy, John and Michael on an adventure to Never Land as they literally fly across the stage at The Colonial Theatre! This classic tale of pirates, fairies, mermaids and lost boys, filled with beloved songs such as "Never Never Land," "I Won't Grow Up," and "I'm Flying," will have audiences of all ages believing in magic. This production marks the first time actors have been flown through The Colonial Theatre. BTG hired Hall Associates Flying Effects, a division of Nunnally Enterprises, Inc. to create flying stunts for the principal actors: Peter, Wendy, John and Michael. Peter will be flown over head, across the audience and onto the stage in every performance. Wendy, John, and Michael will also fly in The Colonial Theatre all with the help of specially trained technicians.

"We are so thrilled the kids in the community have this opportunity to perform in a professional theatre environment and experience the magic of acting," says Allison Bayles, Administrative Director of Education. "It excites me to see the kids learning about the fundamentals of theatre and how to work as part of an ensemble, all while having a great time and meeting friends old and new from the community."

With a total cast of 103 actors and 93 of them talented students from 32 different schools in the
Berkshire, Peter Pan marks the 8th community production at Berkshire Theatre Group. The goal of BTG's community production is to bring together children and adults who learn from each other all in the midst of collaboration and creativity.

"It is amazing to have such a talented group of kids and adults in the show," says Travis Daly, director of Peter Pan. "Everyone is here to tell a story and it is truly inspiring to be a part of."

Proceeds from this production benefit many children in Berkshire county beyond those who participate in and enjoy Peter Pan! Ticket proceeds benefit BTG PLAYS!, Berkshire Theatre Group's Year-Round Education Program. At the heart of BTG PLAYS! is a passionate commitment to bring live theatre and all its inherent excitement and creativity to children throughout our region. In addition, this is the first theatrical experience on a professional stage that many of these children will have the opportunity to participate in. We hope this experience will stimulate a life-long love of theatre and help produce the next generation of playgoers, if not actors or other theatre professionals.

The personal rewards for children who participate in BTG's annual productions are endless. Children gain self-esteem, listening and creative problem-solving skills, and public speaking skills while learning to work as a team. Theatre is a collaborative art and requires that everyone learn his or her part individually while also working together in order to reach the goal: a successful production. Children are guided through explorative exercises and training that help them connect their voices and bodies to communicate stories powerfully, with passion and clarity.

Members of the cast of Peter Pan represent students from Allendale Elementary, BART Charter School, Conte Community School, Craneville Elementary School, Crosby Elementary School, Egremont Elementary School, Farmington River Elementary School, Mount Greylock Regional High School, Herberg Middle School, Home School, Kittredge Elementary School, Lee Elementary School, Lee Middle School, Lenox Memorial Middle/High School, Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School, Montessori School, Monument Mountain Regional High School, Morris Elementary School, Mt. Everett Regional High School, Monument Valley Regional Middle School, Nessacus Middle School, New Marborough Central School, Pittsfield High School, Plunkett Elementary School, Reid Middle School, Richmond Consolidated School, Sinai Academy, St. Mary's School, St. Stanislaus School, Stamford Elementary Elementary School, Stearns Elementary School, Steiner School, Taconic High School, and Undermountain Elementary School.

The magic of Peter Pan doesn't stop on stage! Join us Sunday, August 11th immediately following the2pm performance for a family-friendly dance party. Peter and the Never Land gang will all be there to celebrate fun, learning, and education, and all proceeds help fund BTG's educational programming.

Peter Pan, with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, music by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne, is a musical based on the play by James M. Barrie, directed by Travis G. Daly with music direction by Mark Gionfriddo. The show runs at The Colonial Theatre - Opens August 8 at 7pm; Closes August 18. Tickets: Adult A (Premium Seating): $30; Child A (Premium Seating): $20; Adult B: $25; Child B: $15.

Performance Dates:
Thursday, August 8 at 7pm
Friday, August 9 at 7pm
Saturday, August 10 at 2pm
Saturday, August 10 at 7pm
Sunday, August 11 at 2pm
Monday, August 12 at 7pm
Thursday, August 15 at 7pm
Friday, August 16 at 7pm
Saturday, August 17 at 2pm
Saturday, August 17 at 7pm
Sunday, August 18 at 2pm

Travis G. Daly (Director) BTG directing credits: Pinocchio, OLIVER!, Way Out West, The Wizard Of Oz, History's Mysteries Revealed, Annie, The Great Beyond, Hansel & Gretel's Grimm Tale, Peter Pan.

Mark Gionfriddo (Music Director) was musical director and pianist for BTG's 2012 production of A Class Act at the Unicorn Theatre and off Broadway at the Robert Moss Theater. Mark was introduced in 2011 to BTG audiences as musical director and pianist for the first "Musical Mondays" series at the Colonial. He has also served as pianist for recent BTG productions of The Who's Tommy, In the Moodand Babes in Arms. Mark's regional musical directing credits include I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change [Capitol Rep/Albany], Some Enchanted Evening and Beehive [CityStage/Springfield], Always Patsy Cline [Theatre Project], Cabaret and Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well [MHC Theatre]. Garrison Keillor, Mitzi Gaynor, Al Martino, and the Young@Heart Chorus are just a few of the many artists whom he has accompanied. Mark's choral and instrumental compositions and arrangements have been premiered in Boston, NYC, New Orleans, Nashville, DC, and also on NPR's Performance Today andSays You! Mark is on the faculty of the Music Department at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA.

The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. Having united in November of 2010 under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, these two institutions are providing the Berkshires and beyond with the finest in live theatre, music, dance and the visual arts on five stages in Stockbridge, MA and Pittsfield, MA. The Fitzpatrick Main Stage (400 seats), cataloged by the National Register of Historic Places, was originally designed and built by Stanford White as the Stockbridge Casino in 1888. The intimate Unicorn Theatre (122 seats) is a home for emerging artists and new theatrical ideas. The Colonial in Pittsfield (780 seats) re-opened in August of 2006, following a $21 million restoration, and boasts pristine acoustics, classic gilded age architecture and state-of-the-art technical systems. BTG also performs at the outdoor Neil Ellenoff stage, located on the grounds of BTF in Stockbridge, and at The Garage, a music venue located in the lobby of The Colonial. BTG serves over 100,000 patrons per year and reaches over 17,000 students through its educational and outreach programs. For more information on BTG call (413) 448-8084. To purchase tickets, call (413) 997-4444 or go online to www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org.

Pictured: The Cast of Peter Pan at Rehearsal Photo Credit: Abby LePage.

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