MANSFIELD, Ohio – You won’t have to travel to the second star on the right to visit Never Land this weekend – all you have to do is attend “Peter Pan Jr.” at the Mansfield Playhouse.
A local cast of 38 children brings to life the classic tale of the boy who refused to grow up, and with the elaborate costumes and hand-built set pieces typical of the Playhouse, the show is nothing short of magical.
“You can’t really explain it,” said 10-year-old Reese Carr, who plays the title character. “Pixie dust, I guess.”
Carr is a veteran of the Mansfield Playhouse, having appeared previously in “The Nerd” and “The Wizard of Oz.” He stars alongside Playhouse newcomer Katie Troyer, who plays Wendy Darling.
“It’s a lot of great people, and it’s been really fun,” said Troyer.
A mix of new and returning faces has always been the goal of director Doug Wertz when casting youth shows. While casting is always based upon talent, physical factors and chemistry between actors on stage, Wertz noted that just because a child has been cast in the past doesn’t mean they will get a role in the future.
“It’s a competition, and that’s part of learning theater,” said Wertz. “But I think that’s wonderful, I would much rather do that than constantly see the same faces because it builds the community within the theater and lets new people experience the facility who have never been here. I think it’s a blast for the kids to understand now they can step up their game and we can look for a higher quality as we go.”
Another new face joining the cast and crew of “Peter Pan Jr.” is Craig Green, who is stepping in as the show’s musical director. Green said he was incredibly impressed with the caliber of the 100 kids who auditioned for this show.
“I’m really happy to be working with these kids that we’ve whittled it down to,” he said. “I really like how Doug does things, he gives the kids the blocking and then puts them on stage and I was really amazed how even the youngest kids took the notes he gave, went on stage and put it together. Very efficient and organized, which helps keep me organized.”
Green, who normally works with high school students at Madison High School, said he was especially impressed at the level of talent brought by the younger cast members. Troyer noted the youngest cast member in “Peter Pan Jr.” is seven years old.
“It’s a lot of young people, and you wouldn’t really expect that from people that are their age,” she said. “My favorite part is probably all the music, it’s really great and there are a lot of fun new words.”
The large cast for “Peter Pan Jr.” presented a creative challenge for costume designer Robbie Keplar. In addition to dressing Peter Pan and the Darling children, Keplar created costume sets for the Indians, the Lost Boys, colorful fairies and mermaids, and pirates – even full-body costumes for Nana the dog and the ticking crocodile.
“This has been one of the more challenging shows,” said Keplar, who described the look of the show as “whimsical, child-like” and “dreamy.” “Two weeks before we even had auditions I was gathering fabric.”
Keplar made sure to create one special costume: An adult-size mermaid suit for none other than Doug Wertz. Wertz explained during the Playhouse’s last youth show, “Willy Wonka Jr.,” he made a deal with the cast that if the show sold out he would deliver his curtain speech dressed as an Oompa Looma.
“Lo and behold we sold out six of the seven performances we did, so I was an Oompa Loompa every single time,” said Wertz with a laugh. “So this time some returning cast members said I’ve got to be a mermaid this time. I said if we sell out, I’d go out as a mermaid. Lo and behold in the next few days Robbie came in with a costume, and it’s hanging in my office waiting for a sellout.”
With a little faith and trust, a sold-out crowd is very possible for “Peter Pan Jr.” Carr described the show as full of feeling and exploration, with a lot of big energy.
“It’s a great family show, there is a lesson to be learned, the music is wonderful and the kids are energetic, and I think it’s a great experience to expose kids to live theatre,” said Wertz.
“Peter Pan Jr.” is sponsored in full by Richland Bank, and opens at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 12. The show runs at 7 p.m. through June 13, 19 and 20 with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday, June 21. For tickets visit the Mansfield Playhouse website, or call the box office at 419-522-2883 between 1 and 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
“You can’t really explain it,” said 10-year-old Reese Carr, who plays the title character. “Pixie dust, I guess.”
