Arts & Entertainment
The Derryfield Middle School Players Present Peter Pan
The Derryfield Middle School will take flight on November 7 & 8 when they present the classic story of the boy who refused to grow up.
Manchester: The Derryfield Middle School Players will take flight on November 7 and 8 when they present the classic story of the boy who refused to grow up, Peter Pan. The show being presented is the original Broadway version of the musical, which was first staged in 1954, with Mary Martin playing the title role. It was based on the play and novel by J.M. Barrie, which was originally written in 1904. Derryfield, which is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year, has staged the show about once every decade since its founding in 1964, the first time in 1971, and most recently in 2004. Tickets are $12 and available online at etix.com or at the door. Showtime is 7:00 p.m.
The story is a musical romp for children of all ages, yet with an underlying tension between the innocence of childhood and the responsibility of adulthood. Peter Pan visits the Darling household to retrieve his shadow, and is discovered by Wendy, the oldest child. She and the other children, John and Michael, are entranced when they discover Peter can fly, and he persuades them to fly with him to Neverland, where they meet the Lost Boys and have adventures with Indians, a crocodile and a nasty pirate captain named Hook. Although Peter tries to convince the children to stay in Neverland, they must return to London and their parents in the end, and continue on the path to adulthood.
Thanks to Flying By Foy, the company that has done all the flying and special effects for numerous Broadway shows, including Mary Poppins, The Lion King and Phantom of the Opera, Derryfield’s student actors will “take flight”. The company will take care of the set-up, training and operation of all of the necessary equipment. Aside from that, the students participate in every aspect of the production, from acting to costumes, make-up, set design and construction.
Prior to the November 7 performance, there will be a reception for the artists whose works are currently on display in the school’s Lyceum Gallery, from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
