PETER PAN Opens Tonight at the Barn Theatre

The high-flying fantasy, PETER PAN will delight children of all ages when the boy who will never grow up swoops down over the Barn Theatre stage tonight, June 25 through July 7.

Join Peter, Wendy, John, Michael the Lost Boys, and of course Tinker Bell, when they battle with the sinister Captain Hook and his pirate crew. Along the journey you'll befriend Tiger Lily and her tribe and re-awaken your belief in fairies. This musical masterwork includes the favorites "Never Never Land," "I Won't Grow Up" and "I'm Flying." Peter Pan will delight the immortal child in all of us!

The cast includes Barn Favorite Emily Fleming as Peter Pan, Guest Star Robert Newman as Captain Hook, and Roy Brown as Smee. Rounding out the witless, smarmy pirates are Eric Parker as Starkey, Steven Lee Burright as Jukes, Jamey Grisham as Noodler, Patrick Hunter as Cecco, and second year apprentice David Rolando as Mullins. The Darling children are played by Melissa Cotton (Wendy), Philip David Black (John), and Josh Meredith (Michael).

Peter Pan was first introduced by JM Barrie in 1901 in the short story, Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. The stage version was introduced in 1904 and in 1954 the full musical version was created and has been flying in theatres, capturing the imaginations and hearts of audiences worldwide. It was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins and starred Mary Martin. Famous Peter Pans to follow have included Sandy Duncan and Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby who won the Tony in 1998.

PETER PAN is directed by Hans Friedrichs. Choreography is by Jamey Grisham. The Musical Director is Matt Shabala. Michael Wilson Morgan is Costume Designer and Lights are designed by Corey Boughton. Emily Gardner is Properties Master and Sam Silva is Sound Designer. Frank Vela is Technical Director. The Barn's production will be assisted by the professional flyers Hall Associates Flying Effects to bring all the magic of Peter Pan to life.

PETER PAN plays through July 7. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 8:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday at 5:00 PM. Check out the newly renovated Rehearsal Shed Lounge! Stop in before the main stage show, at intermission and after the show for refreshments, snacks, wings, nachos, and Plainwell ice cream.

The Barn Theatre is located on M-96, west of Augusta. Tickets are $35.00 for all performances of PETER PAN, and Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. The Box Office is open daily 10:00 am-10:00 pm. Tickets may now be purchased on the internet or on your smart phone via PayPal at www.barntheatre.com ~ To reserve tickets at the Box Office Call today: (269) 731-4121.

CAST LIST:

Peter Pan............................................................................................................ Emily Fleming

Wendy Darling................................................................................................. Melissa Cotton

Michael Darling................................................................................................. Josh Meredith

John Darling............................................................................................... Philip David Black

Mrs. Darling........................................................................................................ Penelope Alex

Mr. Darling..................................................................................................... Robert Newman

Liza............................................................................................................... Caitlin Rose Sprang

Nana...................................................................................................................... David Rolando

Captain Hook................................................................................................. Robert Newman

Smee............................................................................................................................ Roy Brown

Tiger Lily............................................................................................................... Julie Grisham

Tinkerbell........................................................................................................ Bethany Edlund

Ostrich.................................................................................................................. Sarah Bomber

Dr. Wendy............................................................................................................... Dusty Reeds

Jane......................................................................................................................... Hannah Eakin

Pirates

Mullins................................................................................................................. David Rolando

Starkey....................................................................................................................... Eric Parker

Jukes........................................................................................................... Steven Lee Burright

Noodler.............................................................................................................. Jamey Grisham

Cecco.................................................................................................................... Patrick Hunter

Lost Boys

Curley............................................................................................................ Darrell Purcell, Jr.

Twin 1............................................................................................. Gregory Thomas Grimes

Twin 2..................................................................................................................... Jordan Mood

Toodles....................................................................................................................... Nick Fuqua

Slightly........................................................................................................................ Nic Balario

Nibs........................................................................................................ Bradford Lewis Rolen

Indians

Ricky Philippi, Kelsey Braman, Lindsay Maron, Samantha Rickard, Anna Bradley,

Beckie Blosser, Jillian Weimer, Kelsey Woods, Veronica Battersby

Emily Fleming, Peter Pan: This season marks Emily's eighth exciting Barn Theatre summer! Last season, Emily had an incredible summer, playing Pamela, alongside husband Roy Brown in THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY, and Julia in THE WEDDING SINGER! Favorite past Barn credits include Roxie Hart in CHICAGO, Cosette in LES MISERABLES, Antonia in MAN OF LA MANCHA starring Robert Newman, Maggie in LEND ME A TENOR, Sister Amnesia in NUNSENSE THE MEGA MUSICAL, Milly in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, Luisa in THE FANTASTICKS and Jemima in CATS. Regional roles include Winifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Puck in A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM and childrens theatre national tours LEWIS AND CLARK and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Emily holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Capital University and currently serves as Publicity Chair for The Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theatre Training. When not in Augusta, Emily lives in NYC with her husband, her beloved Jimmer, Roy Brown!

Robert Newman, Mr. Darling / Captain Hook: Coming to the Barn fresh from filming a role on Showtime's popular series Homeland, Robert Is thrilled to portray the dastardly Captain Hook in Neverland! Robert recently completed his 28 year run as Joshua Lewis on the longest running program in broadcasting history, Guiding Light. The role garnered him 2 Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He has been seen recently onCriminal Minds, NCIS and Law and Order:SVU. Theatre credits include a 6 month run of the off-Broadway musical Sessions at the Algonquin Theater in NYC; Annie at North Carolina Theater; Nine at NSMT; and A Little Night Music and The Full Monty at PCLO. Most recently Newman led up the cast of the musical Curtains at both TUTS in Houston and Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ. His favorite place to work though is, of course, the Barn Theatre, where he earned his Equity card in 1981. Barn credits include Shenandoah, Picnic, Barefoot in the Park, Romantic Comedy, and Sylvia, which he also directed. He is thankful for his wife Britt, and their now-grown children, Connor and Kendal.

Melissa Cotton, Wendy Darling: Melissa is exceedingly proud to return to the Barn this year as a new member of the Equity company. She and her fiancé, Barnie Patrick Hunter, and puppy, Elle Woofs, have enjoyed the past winter in the Windy City but are excited to thaw out on their favorite summer stage. Fondest Barn memories include LEGALLY BLONDE, CHICAGO, and THE WHO'S TOMMY. Melissa is a proud graduate of Kent State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre.

PHILIP David Black, John Darling: Philip is thrilled to be spending his summer at the Barn Theatre. A graduate of Huntington University in Indiana, Phil spent the last year in Central California performing at The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville. Additionally, he has been a summer company member at Timber Lake Playhouse (Mt. Carroll, IL), at Weathervane Playhouse (Newark, OH), and a professional performer at the newly formed Blue Gate Theater (Shipshewana, IN). Some of his favorite past roles include Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Richard Hannay in THE 39 STEPS, Ali Hakim in OKLAHOMA!, and Gaston in DISNEY'S BEAUTY & THE BEAST. He wishes to thank his parents for their constant love and support and his girlfriend for her constant support and love. For additional information, check out www.philipdavidblack.com."

Josh Meredith, Michael Darling: Josh just graduated in May with a BFA in Theatre Performance from Marshall University. A Kenova, WV native, he is thrilled to become a "Barnie" this summer. Josh is no stranger to performing shows in a barn, however, he spent the last two summers performing at the Weathervane Playhouse in Newark, OH. His credits there include: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS as Freddy, BIG RIVER as Huck Finn,LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS as Seymour, and more! Most recently, Josh wrote, produced, and performed in a one-man cabaret show entitled Josh M! as a part of the main stage season at Marshall, as well his senior capstone experience. Other credits at Marshall include: A FUNNY THING...FORUM (Hysterium), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Puck), and URINETOWN (Bobby Strong). "Thanks to the Ragotzy's and everyone else at the Barn for welcoming me! Love, love, love to my family, church family, and dear mentors and friends for supporting me every step of the way!"

Roy Brown, Smee: Roy is pleased to mark his ninth Barn season. Some of Roy's favorite Barn roles include Renfield in DRACULA, a role he reprised in New York, Mitch in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, Bingham in THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY, and that crazy Yooper, da Jimmer in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT. Most recently Roy was seen in New York workshopping the new play CALDWELL'S BOMB by Bill Rogers. Film credits: Derek in DEREK'S DREAM, Jerome in THE BEST MUSICAL EVER MADE (FOR UNDER 10 GRAND). Roy and his lovely wife, Emily Fleming, live in NYC.

Pictured: Clockwise from 12 noon: Josh Meredith as Michael, Philip David Black as John, Melissa Cotton as Wendy, and Emily Fleming as Peter Pan.

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