Peter Pan Flies Into Sumner's Performing Arts Center

ManeStage Theatre Company is back with their newest production, Peter Pan, based on the character as written by novelist J.M. Barrie.  The nearly sold-out opening weekend matinee opened up with voice-over storytelling and stayed true to the classic animated Disney version many of us remember.

The show, which opened July 9, runs a three-week schedule through Sunday, July 24. Showtimes are 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. on weekends. The entire schedule, along with ticket prices, can be found on the ManeStage Theatre Company website.

It's on the Patch calendar too, so check that out .

Be sure to bring a camera along as children will have an opportunity to meet with and have a photo taken with some key characters, including Peter Pan and Tinkerbell.

The production is colorful and fast-paced, keeping my children’s attention through each song and dance number. I took particular delight in the high-flying “dynamic” and enjoyed the spin on what would be costly equipment to move the actors through the air. The swing scene was especially appealing, as (and I bet most of the audience would agree) it just looked like fun. Tinkerbell’s character also embodied a creative retelling which allowed children and adults alike to use a little imagination.

Parents with young or sensitive children should note that somewhat lengthy scene changes take place during a blacked-out auditorium and, although narrated, may be concerning to the youngest children. Mine just expected the play to be over with every act. As lengthy as they may be, the scene changes comprise of believable pirate ships and colorfully screened depictions of Neverland.

The pirates are of particular interest, as Cherilyn Williams' tumbles and quick steps become an anticipated highlight, if not a bit of a scene-stealer. The pirate costumes and hairy faces, paired with their independently acted background antics, were fun to watch and brought a smile to my face. The children in the audience were glued to the silly singing and in awe of the on-stage reality.

Although this is a story that many of us know all too well, seeing it blown into a full-fledged theater production was a real treat. From a child's perspective, the perks of seeing the acting, dancing and singing adds additional thrill. The only thing this play is missing is a mad-snapping crocodile, as my 5- and 3-year old children continually requested to see. Parents may have to remember back to the tick-tick of the cartoon crocodile to explain it to their kidfolk.

There are moments where I felt caught up in the story—where the story brought out my kid-like heart. As I fell under the spell of Barrie’s Peter Pan creation, I too was distracted by the thought of never growing up—ditching my responsibility, chores and bills to run around barefoot in Neverland.

To quote Eddie Carroll, who plays Peter Pan, “Responsibility is for grown-ups.” Carroll’s interpretation of the mischievous and beloved main character Peter Pan was fun and well-played. One might assume that Carroll too enjoys the freedoms his character champions for. He is energetic and charismatic as the “boy who wouldn’t grow up."

Shaye Hodgins plays Wendy, a perfect role to spotlight her strong vocals. It is clear she enjoys singing and she does it quite well. She truly embodies the idea of who Wendy would be should she be a real live girl.

No Peter Pan story would be complete without Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, played by Jay Henson and Timothy Lott, respectively. The banter of their characters was light and playful and it is clear these two seasoned actors play well against each other. I would recommend ManeStage to include them in the photo opportunities after the performance -- they are definitely a crowd favorite. All children seem to love Hook—as naughty as he is—and Smee has since made quite an impression to the youngest children watching Disney’s newest Neverland Pirates cartoon series. Their photography line could be the longest.

It’s a joy to watch the many returning faces in this production as well as in all ManeStage shows—clearly making this a very supportive theater company—but a special notice to Bonney Lake High graduate Cass Neumann in her ManeStage debut playing a Lost Boy. in last spring’s high school production of Into the Woods. Seeing ManeStage as a welcoming venue for those pursuing their acting goals makes the community theater come that much more alive.

If you haven’t had the chance to see a ManeStage’s family theater production, this play is a great start. Their final production in the 2010-2011 season will be The Sound of Music, starting Aug. 13.

For those interested in getting more involved with ManeStage Theatre Company, or getting a jump start on season tickets, they will be hosting a Season 5 Premiere Celebration on July 31 at 7 p.m. They will announce their 2011-2012 season lineup, offer door prizes, live entertainments, season ticket discounts and more as well as announce future plans for the communities of Sumner, Bonney Lake and Puyallup. You can email manestage@manestagetheatre.com for information on invitation requests.