Peter Pan Prepares to Take Flight at Conard

The lines have been rehearsed, the set is almost built, the costumes are nearly ready, and all that is left is learning to fly.

Fly?

That's been the skill that many members of the cast of Conard's spring musical production, "Peter Pan," have spent the past several days practicing.

Flight Director Jason Schumacher (Schu), of ZFX Flying Effects, arrived last Friday to set up the rigging in Conard's auditorium. Two separate lines were installed from stage right to stage left: one at the back half of the stage for Wendy (Brigid Lucey), John (Jake Binder), and Michael (Owen Painter), and one at the front for Peter Pan (Colleen Litchfield).

The Darling children fly up and down, but Peter Pan flies from one end of the stage to the other, as well as front to back. Peter makes another flight as well, but those details are being kept secret until opening night.

"It was my favorite story when I was little," said Conard senior Colleen Litchfield, who said she is extraordinarily excited about the opportunity to play Peter Pan. "I never expected it to happen," she said.

When she was 8 or 9, Litchfield went to see the national tour of "Peter Pan" at the Bushnell. She got a chance to meet Cathy Rigby backstage after the show. "She gave us all fairy dust," Litchfield recalled.

To prepare for the role, Litchfield cut her hair into a pixie style and dyed her brown hair red. "It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. Everyone knew what it was for," she said.

Flying is fun, she said, but not as easy as it looks. "My choir teacher said it's the best posture I have ever had," Litchfield said, explaining that you have to keep your shoulders back while flying. "Turning is like being a torpedo. I'm not graceful on the ground, but I am in the air," she said.

The role has its other challenges, including the gender switch. "The fact that he's a little boy, and he's confident and cocky, not what I usually am," she said. This is the first lead role for Litchfield, who hopes to study theater next year in college and has auditioned for programs throughout the country.

Schu's work is nearly done, and the show moves into final rehearsal in preparation for Friday's opening night.

"It was fascinating to watch Schu work. He has choreography for all the flight scenes so the cast is learning how to fly and move around in the air at the same time. Each flying cast member must have the same family member fly him or her for all five shows," said Producer Anne Coon.

The fathers of each flying character have been drafted to control the rigging. Flying fathers include: Peter Pan - Steve Litchfield; Wendy - Tom Lucey; John - Tom Binder; Michael - Robert Painter; and Jane (Wendy's daughter, who appears in the last scene) - Ken Wieber.

According to its website, ZFX is one of the premier flying effects companies in the world. The company works with a wide variety of clients, ranging from schools to Broadway productions of Wicked, Peter Pan, the Wizard of Oz and more.

Like Schu – all ZFX producers wear kilts. It's one of the things that differentiates the company. The reason, according to their website is: "The Kilt is an outward sign of our core philosophy: dare to think different. It seems unconventional but only by conventional thinking. You see, we start from scratch without any preconceived notions on everything we do."

"Peter Pan" will be presented in the Conard High School auditorium on March 15, 16, 22, and 23, at 7 p.m., and a Sunday matinee on March 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets cot $15, and can be purchased online through the production's website, or at the box office at Conard High School beginning 60 minutes prior to each performance. For information about accessible seating, call 860-231-5125.

More information can also be found on the Conard High School Musical Productions Facebook page.

The complete cast includes:

Peter Pan – Colleen Litchfield

Hook/Mr. Darling – Henley Solomon Jr.

Smee – Tyler Lauretti

Wendy – Brigid Lucey

Tiger Lily – Billie Jefferson

Mrs. Darling/Pirate – Katie Thomas

John – Jake Binder

Michael – Owen Painter

Liza – Becky Palma

Jane/Pirate – Kathryn Wieber

Crocodile – Becca Zeiger

Nana – Alyssa Murray

Indians: Savanna Balkun, Molly Bugos, Emma Heintz, Abby Langevin, Julia Lankin, Molly Matalon, Kerry McFadden, Beca Shafer, Alyssa Stokes, Gabi Vogel-Freedman, Sarah Whitney, Kathryn Wieber, Bridget Williams, and Jordyn Zolty

Lost Boys: Slightly - Lindsey Hopper, Tootles – Christy George, Curly – Milo Stein, Nibs – Kayla Golden, First Twin – Zach Hilborn, Second Twin – Ben McMahon, Inga Smith, and Ciara Hebert

Pirates: Starkey – Dean Marino, Cecco – Tyler Edwards, Noodler – Chellsy Moura, Jukes – Nadi Cano, Julia Byrnett, Sara Flynn, Kathleen Gerity, Eve Gilles, Matthew Lee, Julia Leone, Michelle Long, Kathleen Massaro, George Murray, Carlie Musto, Jordin Nicolae, Kathryn Novak, Katherine Policelli, Kennedy Quirk, Molly Swanson, and Mary Volpe