Walworth Middle School to present musical this weekend
By Heather Ruenz
Editor
Peter Pan, Jr. may be a well-known story but attending a showing of it by local students is sure to bring new life to the musical, set to take the stage at Walworth Middle School this weekend.
“The story is about Peter Pan, the make-believe Neverland with its pirates, mermaids, lost boys and Indians, as well as the Darling family,” director Laura Barker said.
In the musical, Wendy Darling (played by Emma Watters) loves to tell stories to her younger brothers, John (Lindsey McIntyre) and Michael (Leanna Coleman.) And the boys enjoy acting out the stories of adventure as Peter Pan (Hanah Nordmeyer) and Captain Hook (Ethan Laitila), Barker said.
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell (a part that is double cast featuring Brianna Stoll and Val Lopez) take the children flying to Neverland and meet all of the people there.
But, they get into some trouble, Barker explained.
“Wendy gets shot with an arrow, they get captured by the Indians and later, by the pirates,” she said. “Wendy ends up walking the plank but Peter Pan saves her and Tinkerbell, while fairies save everyone else.”
The fairies are: Silvermist (played by Gabby Obel), Vidia (Renee Litton-Castillon), Lyria (Brianna Stoll or Val Lopez), Rosetta (Chloe Weborg), and Fawn (Alexa Cary.)
“Upon the Darling children’s return to their home, their dad (Ethan Jackowski) remembers when he was a child and had dreams of Neverland himself,” Barker said.
The musical will be performed at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22 at Walworth Middle School. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Making it happen
The cast, set design, technical and stage crews are comprised of sixth, seventh and eighth grade students at Walworth Middle School.
The cast is as follows: Peter Pan – Hannah Nordmeyer; Tinkerbell – Brianna Stoll and Val Lopez; the fairies – Gabby Obel, Renee Litton-Castillon, Brianna Stoll or Val Lopez, Chloe Weborg and Alexa Cary; Wendy Darling – Emma Watters; John Darling – Lindsey McIntyre; Michael Darling – Leanna Coleman; Mr. Darling – Ethan Jackowski; Mrs. Darling – Jocelyn Arnold; Nana – Molly Knull; Captain Hook – Ethan Laitila; Smee – Ethan Connelly; the pirates – Emmy Zuniga, Oliver Vail, Riley Summers, Mary Davenport and Elizabeth Bratkovich; crocodile – Clayton Holt; the Lost Boys – Amanda Bender, Adalynn Quakenbush, Ally Ries and Austin Buckholz; Chief Tiger Bamboo – Ethan Jackowski; Tiger Lily – Chelsea Holt; the Indians – Lacey Klade, Cristian Carreno, Jocelyn Arnold and Landon Boyd; the mermaids – Emma Nor, Stephanie Aguado, Natalie Lohse, Molly Knull and Jenna McCarthy.
Tech crew includes: Peyton Hill, Aaron Rowland, Ben Martin, Victor Espinoza, Hayley Beran and Trent Peterson.
The stage crew consists of: Emma Ahrens, Matt Bailey, Spencer Majerus, Ethan Nathan, John Rouse, Olivia Patek, Crystal Escobar, Sara Nordmeyer and Eli Greco.
Set design students include: Kendall Williams, Stephanie Aguade, Lexi Hansen, Val Lopez, Drew Conlin, Renee Litton-Castillon, Noah Lange, Jonas Nolte, Rebecca Wells, Crystal Escobar and Eli Greco.
Adults involved with the production include: Laura Barker, director; Bridget DeVries, costumes; Ted Beauchaine, set and prop design; Karie Bourke, make up and hair; Caroline Briggs, sets and props, Ben Sorce, stage crew manager; Todd Gauger, sets; Rachel Roemer, props, and; Eileen Coleman, posters and programs.
