Photo Flash: Moonlight Stage Productions Presents Peter Pan

Clap your hands if you can believe it, the Tony Award-winning musical production "Peter Pan" soars back to Moonlight Amphitheatre from July 20, 2016 to Aug. 6, 2016 at 8 p.m. The classic, family favorite production hit the Broadway stage in 1954 and has since been adapted for the movie screen several times for more than 60 years. The original Broadway production and revivals received nine Tony Award nominations with the most recent in 1999 for Best Revival of a Musical. The Moonlight production features the sets and costumes of the famous Cathy Rigby production, including spectacular flying effects. Tickets are $10 to $55 and general admission lawn is $8 to $20 and includes lawn chair provided at entry. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 760-724- 2110 or visit moonlightstage.com.

Broadway's high-Flying Musical whisks you away to a place where dreams are born and no one ever grows up! Peter and his mischievous sidekick Tinkerbell visit the Darling children's nursery late one night, and with a sprinkle of pixie dust begin a magical journey across the stars. In the adventure of a lifetime, the travelers come face to face with a ticking crocodile, a fierce Indian tribe, a band of bungling pirates, and of course the villainous Captain Hook.

This is the second run for "Peter Pan" on the Moonlight stage. In 1996, the show was the third production of Season 16 with Steven Glaudini making his Moonlight acting debut as the oddly friendly pirate, Mr. Smee. Glaudini, who is now Moonlight's Artistic Director, will direct the 2016 version of the crowd-pleasing musical and plans to take a sophisticated take on a classic story. Not only will Glaudini breathe new life into a story that has been told hundreds of times before, but also provide the audience with the traditional moments they expect.

"Peter Pan has always been near and dear to my heart for two reasons," said Glaudini. "It was my very first musical as an actor at the Moonlight 20 years ago under the direction of my dear friend and predecessor, Kathy Brombacher. The role was also my first professional theatre credit and I consider it the first job of my professional acting career. I couldn't think of a better show to honor all of these milestones and at the same time bring back a show that is so popular with so many age groups. It will be exciting for audiences to be able to see what we are able to do with flying effects."

Glaudini has cast principal roles from a mix of award-winning actors and others with a long history of performing at the Moonlight. Cast in the title role of Peter Pan is Misty Cotton, an Oceanside, CA native who began her acting career at the Moonlight. Cotton is an accomplished stage actress, capturing roles in Broadway and National Tours of "Miss Saigon," "LES MISERABLES," and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" opposite Donny Osmond. She was last seen at the Moonlight in the 2013 production of "The Who's Tommy," produced as part of Glaudini's first season as Artistic Director.

Rounding out the principal cast are Robert J. Townsend as Captain Hook, James Vasquez as Mr. Smee, Jill Townsend as Wendy, and Elliot Weaver as John Darling. Townsend (Captain Hook) is a recent recipient of a San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award for his portrayal of Georges in San Diego Musical Theatre's (SDMT) "La Cage aux Folles." Vásquez (Smee) is another San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award winner for playing Jacob in the same production of SDMT's "La Cage aux Folles." Vásquez is also a noted San Diego director having staged several seasons of The Old Globe's "The Grinch." He returns to the director's chair later this summer to stage the Moonlight's San Diego Regional Premiere production of "The Addams Family." Jill Townsend (Wendy) also makes her return to the Vista stage after appearing in Moonlight's previous production of "Peter Pan" as Tiger Lily. Townsend is just coming off her role in SDMT's "42 nd Street" as Anytime Annie. Weaver (John Darling) is another award-winner returning to the Moonlight stage after his memorable work as Young Will in "Big Fish" and Winthrop in "The Music Man" in 2015. Weaver received the Outstanding Young Artist Award from San Diego Theatre Critics Circle last year for his roles in these productions.

Also featured in the production: Jacob Farry (Michael Darling), Celeste Lanuza (Tiger Lily / Liza), Heather Lundstedt (Mrs. Darling / grown-up Wendy), Taylor Coleman (Jane) and Quinton Walker (Nana / Crocodile).

Check out photos of the company below:

Photo Credit: Ken Jacques Photography

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