SBT Presents Revival Of Bernstein's 'PETER PAN' 12/19

This fall, New York City celebrates the 90th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's birth with a three-month long festival of his work presented by Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic. But if you want to see Bernstein's Peter Pan, you'll have to visit Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara Theatre proudly announces the first American revival of Leonard Bernstein's Peter Pan. SBT artistic director Albert Ihde directs 12 performances at the Lobero Theatre, December 19 to 28, with two low-priced previews on December 17 and 18.

Alexander Frey conducts a live orchestra playing the songs and music Bernstein wrote for the Broadway hit that premiered in 1950 starring Boris Karloff and Jean Arthur. The SBT production of J.M. Barrie's classic Peter Pan includes two songs that were not used on Broadway.

"This version of Peter Pan was the first professional play I ever saw and it hooked me on theater for life," says Ihde. "Many critics have said that it's the best Peter Pan ever to appear on Broadway."

"Our quest to unearth the rights took a year-and-a-half and a trip to London," explains SBT managing director Ellen Pasternack. "In 2005, I discovered that the Bernstein estate had just released the 'lost' Peter Pan score, which hadn't been available for over 50 years, on CD. When renowned conductor Alexander Frey, who worked with the Bernstein Office on the arrangement for the CD, heard that SBT had secured the rights to stage this Peter Pan, he called from Berlin to ask if he could conduct the show. It didn't take us long to say 'Yes!' "

She adds, "This is the first fully staged revival of Bernstein's Peter Pan in the United States, and a major artistic coup for the Santa Barbara Theatre. We're thrilled to present this beautiful and joyous play as our gift for the December holidays."

Bernstein's Peter Pan features the original story with Peter, the flying Darling children, Captain Hook, Tinkerbell, pirates, Indians, lost boys, mermaids - and one very large crocodile. Flying by Foy, professional AEA actors and custom-built sets and costumes complete the picture at the Lobero Theatre.

The SBT production stars Robert Yacko (Captain Hook), Carolyn Hennesy (Mrs. Darling), Corina Boettger (Peter Pan) and Sarah Bierstock (Wendy). Also in the cast are Frank Artusio, Deborah Bertling, Chet Carlin, Ryan Dalforno, Trevor Dow, Channing Fisher, Margaret Gobbell, Max Gobbell, Miller James, Steve Jones, David King, Angelica Lawrence, Jordan Lemmond, Olivia Le Sage, Aaron Linker, Tessa Miller, Malcolm McCarthy, Nolen McCarthy, Hannah Lee Robinson, Avery Sorenson, Talya Steinberg, Matt Tavianini, and Sarina Charlotte Wasserman.

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was perhaps the most influential figure in classical music in the last half of the twentieth century. Composer, conductor, author, lecturer and media personality, Mr. Bernstein is renowned for his work in classical music, ballet and film, as well as for musical theater works such as West Side Story, Candide and On the Town.

Sir James Barrie was one of the leading playwrights in England at the turn of the last century. Inspired by a family he met in Kensington Gardens, his classic play, Peter Pan, was written for a sophisticated London audience. It was an instant hit with theatergoers of all ages and has remained in the repertory of theaters around the world ever since its premiere in December, 1904.

SBT: The Santa Barbara Theatre, a professional, Actors' Equity Association theater company and 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, begins its fourth season with Bernstein's Peter Pan.

There will be 14 performances of Peter Pan, with evening shows at 7 pm and matinees at 2 pm. Previews, December 17 & 18, are $30-$40, with a Gala Opening Night Party on Friday, December 19. Performances are $45-$70 with a $32.50 ticket for children ages 5 to 18. Priority seating is available for an additional $50 donation to SBT. Discounts for college students, seniors and groups of 15 or more. All tickets are subject to a $3.00 Lobero Facility Fee. For more information, please call the Lobero Theatre at 805.963.0761 or go to www.sbtheatre.org.

WHO:
Book by J.M. Barrie
Music and Lyrics by Leonard Bernstein
Directed by Albert Ihde
Musical Director Richard Weiss
Conductor Alexander Frey
Produced by SBT: The Santa Barbara Theatre

WHEN:
2 Previews: December 17 and 18 at 7 pm
12 Performances: December 19 - 28:
Friday, December 19 at 7 pm (Gala Opening)
Saturday, December 20 at 7 pm
Sunday, December 21 at 2 pm & 7 pm
Tuesday, December 23 at 2 pm & 7 pm
Wednesday, December 24 at 2 pm
Friday, December 26 at 7 pm
Saturday, December 27 at 2 pm & 7 pm
Sunday, December 28 at 2 pm & 7 pm

WHERE:
Lobero Theatre
33 East Canon Perdido Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(one block East of State Street)

HOW:
Tickets on sale now at (805) 963-0761 or www.SBTheatre.org
Information and group sales: (805) 963-7282 or (866) 963-7282 toll-free

TICKETS:
Previews: $30-$40
Performances: $45-$70
Children (ages 5-18): $32.50
Seniors over 65 and Students with valid ID: $10.00 except in Priority Seating
For group discounts, call (805) 963-7282

Priority Seating available for an additional $50 donation to SBT.
(All tickets subject to a Lobero Theatre facility fee of $3.00 per ticket.)

 

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