Never Neverland (Fly Away)

Well, it has been a month now since Peter Pan has closed. The project was a lot of work but it was also exceedingly rewarding. I believe we brought a good production to the community on a shoestring budget and exposed many kids and families to the wonderment of producing theatre. If we accomplished nothing else, it was that.



But we did accomplish more... In previous posts I have also mentioned The Heart Gallery exhibit that was being displayed in the theatre's Geissinger Annex Gallery during the run of Peter Pan. Every night after the show we would gather in the Annex among the faces of over 30 children searching for permanent homes through adoption. Words cannot express the feelings experienced when I learned that 4 of the children from that exhibit have now been placed in homes. Indeed, a little fairy dust was sprinkled on our unassuming theatre in Brookfield. And it is because of moments like that in life that I do believe.

So, I have left Neverland behind and have pointed my compass in the direction of Concord, NH. Beginning in September, I will be spending a few months at TBTA with Jo March and about as much estrogen as one show can muster. In many ways, Little Women will be the polar opposite of the musical about the boy who would not grow up. This is definitely a journey that I am eager to begin.

Beyond September, plans are in the works and announcements are forthcoming... So stay tuned.

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"Never Neverland (Fly Away)" from Dreaming Wide Awake by Scott Alan

TBTA's Peter Pan Opens Tonight

Recently there have been some lovely articles written about our production in the local papers. As I wrote previously, our theatre is hosting The Heart Gallery in its exhibit space during the run of Peter Pan. In fact, last week DCF hosted a reception recognizing some families that have been touched by adoption. TBTA's former artistic director Bart Geissinger, who selected Peter Pan for this season, spoke with his son about how adoption has touched their lives:



Following Bart's presentation, my husband and I rushed to New Milford Hospital just before my brother-in-law's wife delivered our first nephew. Needless to say, it was an emotional evening.

The next day the cast, crew and their families enjoyed a Sitzprobe & Potluck in preparation for Peter Pan's tech week. As I sat there watching everyone mill about I was struck by something I've been noticing a lot lately: the word family can mean so many things.

The next day I was at the theatre working on the set. I was there by myself and a woman popped her head in the theatre and told me that she had been calling and calling. Initially, I thought that she was talking about getting tickets for the show. Then I realized that she had been calling to make an appointment to see the photography exhibit. I walked her over to the gallery space and we talked briefly about the adoption of her daughter. She then told me about how she was feeling it was time for a sibling when she saw the article in the paper. I told her to take her time and indicated the cards on the table with details about each child featured in the exhibit.

I returned to the stage and continued to build the window pane through which Peter Pan flies into the Darling nursery. About five minutes passed and the woman returned to let me know she was leaving. She thanked me and waved the cards she held in her hand: "I've got five cards here!"

Yes, indeed, the word family can mean so many things.

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Peter Pan opens tonight at The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts. Performances are July 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8:00pm and July 13 at 2:00pm. All tickets are $20. Call 203-775-0023 for reservations.

TBTA's Peter Pan: Helping Lost Children Find A Home

Thank goodness for the many theatre “incrediblogs” in existence to keep you up to speed on Broadway’s awards season. Without doubt, it’s been an exciting year on the Great White Way and my esteemed friends are covering the news with great panache. I will leave all the handicapping and dishing to them, as the amount of time I can currently devote to my writing is minimal. My fellow theatre bloggers will be much more thorough, so you are left in capable hands if that is the purpose of your visit.

You ask, then, why no time to write? Well, a few weeks ago I watched over 70 actors sing and dance their way through auditions for the musical Peter Pan. The production, which I am directing, is part of The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts’ 2008 Season. Guiding the cast of 37 through rehearsals that include flight, swordfights, Heelys, major choreography, four different sets and numerous costume changes will definitely be a Herculean effort.

Despite the monumental task of mounting this musical, I eagerly accept the challenge for I believe that our production has had a bit of fairy dust blown in our direction…

Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan. It is the story of the boy who would never grow up, who lives on a magical island where time stands still. Interestingly, in the first few weeks of rehearsal, it has become very evident the myriad ways we recall being told of Peter and his Neverland adventures. Most think of the Disney animated feature or the televised versions featuring Mary Martin or Sandy Duncan in the eponymous role. For others, it might be the recent Cathy Rigby revival on Broadway or the numerous cinematic adaptations of the Peter Pan story.

Certainly, as you grow older, the story takes on a completely different meaning than it did when it was all about flying, Pirates & Indians and defeating the bad guy. I think that is the sign of a great story – when it is both timeless and universal. For me, it is a story about our search in life to find people to love us and to look after us. Whether searching for a parent, as in the case of Peter and the Lost Boys, or growing beyond the years of requiring parents and starting to seek a different kind of companionship, as with Wendy, this story is about developing relationships and trusting and relying on one another.

And here’s the bit of fairy dust…

Last year, the former President and Artistic Director of TBTA adopted a son through the Department of Children and Families. The Department has now partnered with TBTA to utilize our gallery space for their Heart Gallery, a photo art exhibit featuring children in need of a permanent family connection through adoption. In my life, I’ve had the great fortune of seeing several friends who have created families through adoption. I truly feel the connection between my personal experience and this production is not accidental and I am honored the Heart Gallery will be displayed during the entire run of Peter Pan.

I leave you with this. Anyone who has ever done theatre identifies with the notion that those involved in the production become, for a time, your family. Being a musical that has so much focus on parents and children, I suspect that our production of Peter Pan will be no different, especially given the exhibit that will be hanging in our gallery. Without doubt, those sitting in the audience in July will be seeing a very special production of this classic musical. Because, you see, in our cast there are sixteen performers from six different families, including two sets of twins! If you also consider the cast members that have family helping behind the scenes, Peter Pan’s cast and crew will be a family in the truest sense of the word. And for this particular production, I think that speaks volumes.

Please, come see it… and be a part of the magic.

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TBTA presents Peter Pan
Performance Dates:
July 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19, 2008 at 8:00pm
July 13, 2008 at 2:00pm
Ticket Price (All Performances): $20.00
Reservations: 203-775-0023

Department of Children and Families: The Heart Gallery