PETER PAN Takes Flight At North Shore Music Theatre This Summer

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) continues the 2018 Musical Season with the family favorite musical, PETER PAN, set to take flight beginning on Tuesday, July 10 and playing through Sunday, July 22.

"Peter Pan does bring many challenges for the round, but our talented staff always knows how to work our unique space to our advantage and they will have audiences feeling as if they are flying right alongside Peter, Tinkerbelle and the Darling children," said Bill Hanney, NSMT owner and producer. "Working with Bob Richard and Diane Laurenson, who directed and choreographed our productions of The Music Man and West Side Story, has been a pleasure. We have found an incredible cast led by Elena Ricardo, James Beaman, and Paul Castree. I know Bob and Diane will work their theatrical magic once again."

Based on Sir J.M. Barrie's beloved classic, PETER PAN follows the adventures of Peter Pan and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbelle, as they visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night. With a sprinkle of pixie dust, they begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget.

This musical retelling, traveling from London to Neverland and back, has been enchanting audiences since its Broadway debut staring Mary Martin in 1954. PETER PAN has since seen three Broadway revivals (1981 starring Sandy Duncan and 1991 and 1999 starring Cathy Rigby) along with several live network television broadcasts. With lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and music by Morris (Moose) Charlap and additional lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph Green and additional Music By Jule Styne, the score features songs like "I'm Flying," "I Gotta Crow," "I Won't Grow Up" and "Never Never Land."

Elena Ricardo will play Peter Pan, Elena made her Broadway debuted in the ensemble, then starred as Sophie Sheridan in the closing company of Mamma Mia! Her other credits include the National Tour of Beautiful: the Carole King Musical and regional productions of Spring Awakening, Next to Normal, and Bring It On the Musical! Elena has also been a part of the development of new musicals such as Dear Evan Hansen and Freaky Friday.

Beverly, MA native James Beaman will play Mr. Darling and Captain Hook. James has been seen at North Shore Music Theatre in The Sound of Music, Spamalot, and Guys and Dolls. In addition to starring in the First National Tour of Spamalot, New England audiences have seen him in 1776 (Cape Playhouse), La Cage aux Folles and Nice Work If You Can Get It (Ogunquit Playhouse), Guys and Dolls (Main State music Theatre); and Annie Get Your Gun, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Mame (Goodspeed Musicals).

Mr. Smee will be played by Paul Castree. Paul has been seen at North Shore Music Theatre in productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and A Christmas Carol. His Broadway credits include Disaster!, 9 to 5, Young Frankenstein, High Fidelity, All Shook Up, Movin' Out, Saturday Night Fever, Footloose, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Grease. In addition to touring nationally in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Bye Bye Birde, he has also appeared in the Off-Broadway, Los Angeles and Toronto productions of Forever Plaid for which he won an L.A. Ovation award, and Canada's Dora Award.

Also featured in the cast of PETER PAN will be Victoria Byrd (Tiger Lily, Liza), Kate Fitzgerald (Wendy Darling), Jake Ryan Flynn (John Darling), Liesl Jean Jaye (Twin One), Maya Kazzaz (Tootles), Paige Sabo (Twin Two), AJ Scott (Michael Darling), Vinnie Smith (Curly), Kathy St. George (Mrs. Darling), and Josh Zacher (Slightly)

The ensemble of PETER PAN includes Joy Clark, Alexander Gil Cruz (Cecco), Daniel Gold (Bill Jukes), Ryan Jackson (Noodler), Karma Jenkins, Scarlett Keene-Connole, Christopher R. Morrissey (Mullins), Brian Padgett (Gentleman Starkey), Jonathan Quigley (Nibs), Pedro Rangel, and Ian Shain (Nana, Crocodile). Thomas Fitzgerald and Ben Choi-Harris will be the standbys for John and Michael Darling.

The creative team for PETER PAN is made up of Bob Richard (Director), Diane Laurenson (Choreographer), Peter Leigh Nilsen (Music Director), Kyle Dixon (Scenic Design), Kelly Baker (Costume Coordination), Jose Santiago (Lighting Design), Don Hanna (Sound Design), Gerard Kelly (Wig and Hair Design), Natalie A. Lynch (Production Stage Manager), Dakotah Wiley Horan (Assistant Stage Manager), and Robert L. Rucinski (Assistant Music Director). The flying effects will be designed by ZFX Flying Effects. PETER PAN is produced for North Shore Music Theatre by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Producing Artistic Director), and Matthew Chappell (Casting, Interim Associate Producer).

Tickets for PETER PAN are priced starting from $59 - $84. Performances are July 10 - July 22, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. Kids 18 and under save 50% at all performances. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA. PETER PAN is sponsored by ABIOMED.

Additional Free Audience Enrichment events: Meet the Theatre: post-show audience discussion with the artists on July 17 after the 7:30 pm performance and July 21 after the 2 pm performance; OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan & Wood Inc.) on July 19 after the 7:30 pm performance.

North Shore Music Theatre will continue the 2018 musical season Mamma Mia! (August 7 - September 2), Jekyll & Hyde (September 25 - October 7), Hairspray (October 30 - November 11), and the 28th annual production of A Christmas Carol starring David Coffee (December 7 - 23).

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