The Renaissance presents Peter Pan, the 2014 Renaissance Summer Musical and the first event in the 2014-2015 Graham Automall Renaissance Season. It’s also one of the world’s most beloved stories of all time, and there are only three shows remaining.
Based on the classic J.M. Barrie story and with a magical score by Jule Styne, (Gypsy), Betty Comden and Adoph Green, (Singing in the Rain), audiences will sit spellbound as the performers literally soar into the air.
Directed by Renaissance Artistic Director, Michael Thomas, remaining performances are Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 10 at 3 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Renaissance Box Office and online at MansfieldTickets.com. Discount tickets for children are only available through the box office.
The Renaissance Theatre’s $15 ticket offer is available for this event. These seats, located in the back row of the balcony and limited to 50 seats, must be purchased in person only, beginning two hours prior to the performance at the Renaissance Box Office, cash preferred. Peter Pan is part of the the Richland Bank Broadway Series, presented by Newman Technology, Alumni Roofing and MoCoopinz.com, sponsored by ArcelorMittal and Emerson Process Management and supported by The Ohio Arts Council.
This musical version of Peter Pan first appeared on Broadway in the mid 1950s as a vehicle for Mary Martin. Several years later, a televised version, also starring Martin, became a perennial favorite on NBC. Later incarnations, starring Sandy Duncan and Olympic gymnast, Cathy Rigby, scored big on Broadway and toured for decades. The show has proved to be so popular that NBC has just announced it will present Peter Pan Live! next season, starring Christopher Walken as Captain Hook.
The Renaissance production is especially meaningful for one of the performers. When Michael Miller was 12, he joined the national tour of Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby. Also an NBC production, the show enjoyed a 20 city tour. Forty years later, Miller he will appear in the show again – but this time as the dastardly Captain Hook.
“I’ve come full circle!” says Miller. “I started out playing John Darling – who is tormented by the villainous Hook – and now I get to play the bad guy!”
Miller, who is also the CEO and President of the Renaissance, still keeps in touch with Cathy Rigby, who took her final bow as Peter Pan last year – at the age of 62. “You know it’s a great show when it’s been around this long,” added Miller. “It’s 60 years old and still just as popular as ever!”
The show also features Ashland native, Ryan Shreve as Peter Pan, Julia Maxwell as Wendy, Luke Blackley as John, Daniel Kurek as Michael, Lori Turner as Mrs. Darling, Kyle Miller as Nana, Nick Seeman as Smee, Scott Schag as Starkey, Emily Stack as Liza, Jessica Miller as Jane, Louie Kurtzman as The Crocodile, Tucker Boggs as Mullins, Kyle Miller as Dead-Eye, Owen Boyd as Cecco, Aaron Shaffer as Noodler, David Harmon as Jukes, Bob Gardner as Cookson, Pam Phillips as Crusty Sally, Blake Barnes as Murphy, Danny Fain as Foggerty, and Tim Gesouras as Turley. The Lost Boys are Kevin Maxwell, Howard Leuthold, Owen Perkins, Megan Hayes, Gage Goodwin, Amy Gardner, Ellie Mayer, Emily Raff, Caleb Tate, Alex Tate, Emma Cumins, Zay Brooks, Braylon Pietro, Christian Shepherd, Danny Gardner, and Thomas Tate. The Indians include Cynthia Gray, Susan Fain, Kera Gardner, Naji Brooks, Megan Shepherd, Abigail Baumguard, ESaeLynn Cameron, Sydney Genter, Jessica Miller, Madelyn Gray, and Alexa Blakeley.
