Take flight to Neverland with Mainstage Center for the Arts' Peter Pan

Fly away for grand adventures with Peter, Wendy, John, Michael, and Tinker Bell in Peter Pan, the musical. Audiences of all ages will delight in traveling to Neverland when the boy who never grows up soars onto Mainstage Center for the Art’s stage, July 13-15. Based on J.M. Barrie’s beloved story, this journey includes Peter and the Lost Boys’ battle versus the sinister Captain Hook and his pirate crew, suspense-filled moments with Tiger Lily and her tribe, and help from the audience to save Tinker Bell. It features the popular songs “Never Never Land,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” and “I’m Flying.”

The production features several Gloucester Township actors including Jeffrey Redwanowski who stars in the title role of Peter Pan and Ryan McDermott who portrays Michael Darling.

“This is my last year of Summer Stage and I’m excited to finish with such a great role,” said Redwanowski. “It’s fun to work on character development about why Peter doesn’t want to grow up. I flew a couple of years ago in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and really enjoyed that. It helps make the show magical.”

Also looking forward to flying is McDermott. He recently played Michael in Ann Mullen Middle School’s production of Peter Pan and said, “I had a great time in that show. We didn’t get to fly there so this will be new. I really like the character of Michael and think it’s neat how he wants to be Peter Pan.”

Bringing this magical story to life is Director Francine Odri of Lumberton. She directs a cast of 66 local actors, which, in addition to Redwanowski and McDermott includes: Colin Corriveau of Plainsboro (John), Nicole Duffy of Williamstown (Wendy), Dylan Odri of Lumberton(Captain Hook), Caleb Schneider of Gibbsboro (Smee), Anaya Colon of Cherry Hill (Tiger Lily), and Allison Shapiro of Cherry Hill (Mrs. Darling).

“It’s a dream for me to direct Peter Pan,” said Odri. “I just love this story. I love how audiences leave seeing all the beauty in the world.” Odri holds a bachelor’s degree in Theater and English from Drew University. She wrote her senior thesis on Peter Pan.

Peter Pan runs July 13 and 14, 7:30 p.m. and July 15, 10:30 a.m. in the fully-accessible Dennis Flyer Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College, 200 College Drive, Blackwood, NJ. Ticket prices: $11 adults, $10 senior citizens/children 12 and under. Group prices are available. To purchase tickets, visit www.mainstage.org or call (856) 227-3091

Sponsor Recognition and Check Presentation at Opening Night

Peter Pan is sponsored by Precision Power Wash. Mainstage Center for the Arts’ Children’s Theatre is sponsored by McDonald’s of Hurfville and Blackwood, while the Summer Stage Program is sponsored by AP Construction, Inc; E Consult Solutions; and Investors Bank. Shannon Leonen-Morgan, Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager, of Investors Bank will make a check presentation to Mainstage at the July 13 opening night performance of Peter Pan. Investors Bank Foundation is awarding Mainstage with a $2,500 grant for the Summer Stage program.

The remaining Summer Stage season includes Seussical, Jr, July 20-22, sponsored by Bowman & Company; James and the Giant Peach, July 27-29, sponsored by First Bank and Precision Power Wash and Disney Journeys, August 3-5, sponsored by Beneficial and PostNet. This year’s full-length Broadway production is Titanic, the Musical, which runs July 23,24,29, and 30 and is sponsored by First Bank and Meadows Diner.

Mainstage Center for the Arts, located in Blackwood, NJ is committed to make the arts experience enjoyable for all its patrons. In an effort to make the shows, concerts, events, workshops, classes, and offices accessible to as many as possible, Mainstage offers many services for patrons requiring assistance. For anyone in need of assistance, please notify the office at 856-227-3091 at the time of purchasing tickets, or at least five days prior to the event you are attending.

Mainstage Center for the Arts, the parent program for Summer Stage, is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization committed to providing a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults. This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.