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Peter Pan by Starlight Musical Theatre To reach Never Never Land you need fairy dust and a happy thought. Then you just fly towards the second star to the right and straight on till morning. Out of fairy dust? No problem. Through August 15th you can simply drive there by taking the Park Boulevard Exit to Balboa Park and watch Starlight's production of Peter Pan. Alexandra Auckland soars, both literally and artistically, as The Pan. Her energy and charisma at every moment and in every scene keeps the excitement level high throughout the play. Alex was able to alter her tremendous voice, which last summer she used for the sexy, Marilyn Monroe-ish Sugar Kane in Starlight's Some Like It Hot, to be equally convincing as a young, adolescent boy. And whether it be crooning a lullaby, crowing like a rooster, or swinging thirty feet above the stage, Alex's singing is always strong and beautiful. Peter Pan is Alex's favorite role, and her enthusiasm for the part shows. Peter Pan was actually the first professional play she ever attended. Seeing Sandy Duncan flying through the air, she dreamed of doing the same. This is the third time her dream has come true, having played Peter twice before. A natural for the role, you might think she'd been born in Never Never Land. But she was actually raised in our own East County, getting her acting career going with Granite Hills Acting Workshop and Youth Summerstock Theatre. The dastardly Captain Hook was performed by Paul Keith, a veteran actor of stage, film, and television. Paul is comically villainous as the leader of a band of outrageous pirates who seeks vengeance on Peter Pan. Courageous one moment, cowering with fear the next (especially on the approach of a certain clock-eating croc), Paul gave a very amusing performance, as did his crew. All the pirates were a great combination of gruff and goofball. Hook's chief assistant Smee, played by the always hysterical Joey Minnich, was the perfect sidekick to Hook. Joey, like Alex, is another Granite Hills alum. He was last seen two months ago in Christian Community Theater's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Potiphar. He leaves in a couple weeks to study drama at the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California. The Indians, led by Tiger Lily (C. F. Delaney), put on some great dance numbers choreographed by Jack Tygett. Delaney's animated facial expressions were priceless. And we'd definitely be amiss if we didn't mention the fantastic job done by the many children in this production. The parts of Michael (Danny McCarthy), John (Brian Bryson), and all of the Lost Boys were truly exceptional acting-wise, dancing-wise, and freezing for passing planes-wise. Danny has performed throughout San Diego County including the Old Globe Theatre and the Diversionary Theatre. Brian has been in numerous productions with Christian Community Theatre and Christian Youth Theatre as well as making a couple of television appearances. He will also be performing in Starlight's next production, Evita. Pirates, Indians, Lost Boys, fairies, exotic beasts, and three turn-of-the-century English children all crammed together on one tiny island? As Peter tells Wendy (Brenda Stevens), adventure can never be far away. And the magic is non-stop. You'll have to clap your hands to save Tinkerbell's life, but no clapping is necessary to keep this century-old story fresh and alive. Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill ~ Cast ~
Peter Pan: Alexandra Auckland Captain Hook: Peter Keith Tiger Lily: C. F. Delaney Wendy: Brenda Stevens John: Brian Bryson Michael: Daniel McCarthy Mr. Darling: Paul Keith Mrs. Darling: Jennifer Jeffries Liza: Nikki Scheidt Nana: Carrie Cavanaugh Slightly: J. Taylor Heinemann Toodles: Sidney Franklin Curly: Garrick Hargrove Nibs: Michael Cullen First Twin: Robert Olson Second Twin: Chris Selensky Smee: Joey Minnich Starkey: Sam Cavanaugh Cecco: L. Michael Johns Noodler Phil Golden Mullins: Charles Hand Jukes: Darren Kjeldsen Cookson: Shepard Berry ~ Indians ~ Megan Cain Joaquin Gamboa Annette Nixon Jon Kennette Francine Maigue Carrie Sayers Nikki Scheidt Joseph Shumate Christine Timmons Grown-up Wendy: Megan Cain Jane: Whitnee Halligan Lion: Jon Kennette Kangaroo: Carrie Sayers Ostrich: Jennifer Jeffries Crocodile: Carrie Cavanaugh Producing Artistic Director: Brian Wells Director/Choreographer: Jack Tygett Co-Director/Choreographer: Joyce Schumaker Musical Director/Conductor: Parmer Fuller Production Manager: Jeannette Thomas Stage Manager: K. Aaron Blokker Costume Designer: Kathy Auckland Set Designer: The Set Company Sound Designer: Steve Stopper Lighting Designer: Eric Lotze |