Escape to the Original NEVERLAND

Photo by Jan Bollwinkel-Smith

San Juan Community Theatre’s fall play takes us to the origins of a far-off place known as “Neverland” –and the characters we fell in love with in the classic Peter Pan.

The Tony Award-winning, magical, and hilarious musical adventure by Rick Elice (based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson) is presented in the Gubelman Theatre for ten performances October 13-28.

Directed by Joy Van Camp, the play features some 15 island teen and adults actors, as well as a small group of musicians, all on the stage the entire time. Many of the actors play different roles and act as part of the set and sound effects, with more than 110 props to work with. “The play is very rhythmic,” said Van Camp. “Sometimes like being on a ship.”

The nonstop action centers on a young orphan and his mates who are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin. At sea, the boys are discovered by a precocious young girl named Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training who realizes that the trunk’s precious cargo is starstuff, a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands… and then the ship is taken over by pirates.

The Business Partner for the production is Islanders Bank. Tickets are $22 for adults and $11 for student reserved; $5 student RUSH at the door if any seats are available; Thursdays, October 19 and 26 are “Pay What You Can: at the door.” The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.sjctheatre.org or 378-3210.

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