The Mountain Play Association Adds PETER PAN to 102nd Season

The Mountain Play - 'A Great Outdoor Theatre Adventure' and the San Francisco Bay Area's most magical outdoor theater experience, is proud to present Broadway's timeless musical Peter Pan directed by Michael Schwartz for its 102nd season in May and June of 2015.

Based on Sir James M. Barrie's classic tale and featuring an unforgettable score by Morris "Moose" Charlap and Jule Styne with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Peter Pan is one of the most beloved family favorites of all time. With a sprinkling of pixie dust, Peter, the boy who wouldn't grow up, and his playful sidekick fairy Tinkerbell whisk the Darling family children to the place where dreams are born. During their adventures in Neverland they encounter all the characters one would expect in the magical world of childhood. There are bungling pirates, natives, an infamous ticking crocodile and, of course, the villainous Captain Hook.

The cast features Melissa WolfKlain in the title role of Peter Pan, Jeff Wiesen as Captain Hook & Mr. Darling, Susan Zelinsky as Mrs. Darling and David Yen as Smee.

Peter Pan at the Mountain Play is family entertainment at its best.

• DATES: Performances will be on Sunday May 24, May 31, June 7, June 14, June 21 and Saturday June 13.
• TIMES: All shows begin at 2 pm. Please arrive at least one hour prior to show time.
• COST: Tickets range from $20-$40 General Admission. Children 3 and under are always FREE. Ticket sales and information for group discounts and reserved seating are available at the Mountain Play website - www.MountainPlay.org

RESERVED SEATING AVAILABLE: Cushioned reserved seating is available in both the shade and the sun FAN Club sections of the amphitheatre with prices starting at $60 for adults. More information can be found at the Mountain Play website - www.MountainPlay.org

HOW TO GET THERE: The Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre is located in the Mount Tamalpais State Park on scenic Highway 1 in Marin County, CA. Patrons are encouraged to carpool, hike, or bike to the venue as parking is limited. FREE parking is available in Mill Valley with FREE shuttle buses to the theatre. For more information, schedules, directions, tips and details visit the Mountain Play Experience section of the website.

CONTACT: Visit www.MountainPlay.org or call (415) 383-1100

About the Play
Peter Pan first soared over Broadway in 1954 with Mary Martin in the lead role and starring Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook. Both actors won Tony awards for their portrayal of the boy who wouldn't grow up and his pirate nemeses. Featuring the iconic songs "I'm Flying," "I've Gotta Crow," "I Won't Grow Up," and "Never Never Land," and a book rich with imagination, warmth and rollicking adventure, Peter Pan is the perfect show for the child in all of us who dreamed of never losing the joy and freedom of childhood. Peter Pan has continued to thrill children young and old through numerous television broadcasts, including a live NBC telecast last December, and stage and film adaptations. It is a story that we never want to end.

Entertainment:

In addition to the headline show, preshow activities and musical acts provide entertainment for the whole family.

Each day has a special theme with preshow entertainment at 12:30pm tailored to the interest of the patrons:

• Kids & Family Day (May 24)
• Mother Earth Day (May 31) preshow entertainment by Karmina
• LGBT Day (June 7) - preshow entertainment by The Lollipop Guild - An Ensemble from the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus
• Community Day (June 13) preshow entertainment by Performing Stars of Marin
• Arts Education Day (June 14) - preshow entertainment by Marin Summer Theater
• Closing Day/Father's Day (June 21) - preshow entertainment 'Til Dawn

Children of all ages will love the puppet shows of Fratello Marionettes. Puppet show times are 11:30 am and 1 pm on all show dates. Check the website for more information at www.MountainPlay.org.

Annual picnic contest on June 21, 2015 with celebrity judge.

An ASL professor at the College of Marin for many years, Pat Sirianni celebrates her 34th year with the Mountain Play. Pat will perform and sign for the hearing impaired at four performances - May 24, 31 June 7 and closing day June 21.

The poster art for this year's play was created by artist Katy Meehan with graphic design by Rob Roehrick/Roehrick Designs of Novato.

Mountain Play's FAN Club Reserved Seating:

The FAN Club offers 4 special reserved seating sections as well as added benefits for FAN Club patrons. It's a way for you to give a little more and to get more from your Mountain Play experience. By joining the FAN Club, you'll have your seats reserved and receive additional benefits of membership such as red priority bus tickets for the first wave of shuttles down the mountain, cushioned seating with backrest, and free and easy ticket exchange (waiver of $10 fee.) FAN CLUB levels are Club Circle, Orchestra Sun Circle, Director's Circle, and Patron's Circle. Patron's Circle reservations include the "Dining in the Woods" a gourmet catered lunch in Madrone Grove near the theatre. Please view Mountain Play's website for price information. www.MountainPlay.org

Dining on the Mountain:

The Mountain Play isn't just a wonderful theatre and outdoor experience; it can also be an incredible dining experience. Patrons are encouraged to pack a picnic with their favorite spirit, enjoy the "rustic elegance," fine wines and gourmet lunch of Dining in the Woods as part of their Patron Circle Reserved Seating package or enjoy a variety of delectable foods at the Captain Hook's Café, prepared onsite by Fred Martin Events. The Mountain Play's Pirate Bar features selections from Barefoot Wines and Lagunitas Brewing Company. Dining in the Woods gourmet lunch prepared by Debbie Ghiringhelli Catering.

Amphitheatre Shade Structure:

With the generous support of donors, the Mountain Play has provided shade structures for the amphitheatre that shade seating for over 500 General Seating patrons and 300 Reserved Seating patrons. Please arrive early for a seat in the general shaded area as seating is on a first come, first served basis. Shaded Reserved Seating is available by calling 415-383-1100.

NEW for 2015:

NEW FOR KIDS - Future Protectors: Pick up your copy of our new Future Protector Adventure Guide at the Information Booth (or on the Mountain Play website). Our guide is filled with a nature treasure hunt & fun activities to learn more about the Mountain Play, Peter Pan and the Mount Tamalpais State Park. After you complete your activities, return to the Information Booth to be named a Future Protector of the Arts and Nature.

PLAYland - A fun filled area for kids. This year a State Park ranger will be present to provide fun nature activities as well as safety information!

MEET MEMBERS OF THE CAST - Following each performance meet members of the cast in front row of the amphitheatre.

FREE parking in the Air Force Parking Lot for ALL Hybrid and Electric Cars. Carpooling is encouraged. ($5 savings per car)

About the Staff:

Director Michael Schwartz Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, educated in Los Angeles and London, and based in New York City, Michael Schwartz is an award-winning director of theatre, film, and large-scale events. He has worked on theatrical projects with The Old Vic Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, NY Philharmonic, American Conservatory Theatre, The Magic Theatre, Yale University, NAMT, Fringe NYC, among others, and has directed or helped develop productions in such diverse spaces as New World Stages, Skirball Center, The American Museum of Natural History, and The Dallas Cowboys Stadium. He is a California Arts Scholar, and a member of SDC, Lincoln Center Director's Lab, and Old Vic New Voices. www.WhoIsMichaelSchwartz.com

Musical Director Debra Chambliss is a vocalist, pianist, instructor and music director who has worked in the Bay Area for over 25 years. She became musical director for the Mountain Play in 2007, but she has been playing the keyboard in the orchestra since 1991. She has worked as an accompanist and music director at dozens of theaters, including The Willows, Contra Costa Musical Theater, and Woodminster. Highlights have included playing keyboards at the Post Street Theatre for the national tour of The 20th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and at the Orpheum Theatre for the North American premiere of Edward Scissorhands, as well as directing music for the West Coast Premiere of Children of Eden. Debra served as Resident Music Director of KD Musical Theater for several years, and has directed many performance workshops, musicals and summer training programs at places such as ACT, Yes, and Marin Theatre Company. Currently she works as the Director of the Marin Symphony Holiday Pops Children's Chorus, as well as the music director of St. Anselm Church, the music instructor at St. Anselm School and piano instructor at her private piano studio.

Choreographer Nicole Helfer is a Bay Area native and a graduate of San Francisco State University. Choreography credits include In the Heights for Broadway By The Bay (Theatre Bay Area Award-winner), Dogfight for OMG Productions, Tarzan for Contra Costa Musical Theater (Shellie Award nominee), Rent for Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre Company, Measure for Measure for San Francisco State University, 8 Track: The Sounds of the 70s, Six Women With Brain Death, and You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (Shellie Award nominee) for Willows Theatre Company. Co-choreographer for San Francisco State's recent production of A Chorus Line. She has also choreographed Click Clack Moo and the very successful Pinkalicious for Bay Area Children's Theater. In addition to performing regularly in regional musical theatre productions, she has taught dance and theatre classes for Young REP, Kid Stock, Inc., Dance Mission Theatre, Marilyn Izdebski Studios, YMCA and Spindrift School of Performing Arts. Currently, Nicole is happily teaching a variety of dance classes at Steppin' Out Studios in San Francisco as well as at the Ballet School in Walnut Creek. She is so honored to be working with such an amazing creative team and would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support.

Scenic Designer Erik Flatmo is a set designer based in San Francisco. His designs for plays and musicals have been produced by companies across the country including American Conservatory Theater, Asolo Repertory Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, California Shakespeare Theater, The Magic Theatre, San Jose Repertory Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Theatreworks and Yale Repertory Theater. His work in opera has premiered at Opera Santa Barbara, Opera San Jose and San Francisco Opera's Merola Program. His work in dance and contemporary performance has toured internationally and within the United States. He is a graduate of Columbia University and The Yale School of Drama. He teaches set design at Stanford University.

Costume Designer Heidi Leigh Hanson is a costume designer working in theatre, television and film. Recent projects include Fetch Clay Make Man at Marin Theatre Company, Ripple Effect at San Francisco Mime Troupe and Coast of Utopia: Salvage at Shotgun Players. Other credits include; Jacob Marley's Christmas (Marin Theatre Company), Sidewinders (The Cutting Ball) as well as four operas with La Musica Lirica's traveling opera in Italy (assistant designer). Film and TV include Netflix's Arrested Development (set costumer), the film of the musical Lucky Strike (assistant costume designer) directed by Christopher Ashley, and Steel Magnolias directed by Jenny Sullivan at the Laguna Playhouse. Heidi holds an MFA in costume and set design from the Yale School of Drama, and a BA cum laude in theatre from California State University Long Beach. To see what's coming up next visit: www.heidileigh.com

Building on a century of tradition, the Mountain Play Association produces enriching theatrical experiences that stimulate creativity, engage our community, and foster a lifelong enjoyment of the performing arts. Our pinnacle event is a spectacular, outdoor production that also nurtures an appreciation for the unique beauty of Mount Tamalpais. The Mountain Play is a non-profit (501c3) organization that has been serving the Bay Area community since 1913. www.MountainPlay.org

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