When Captain Hook sends his right-hand man, Smee, on a quest to capture Peter Pan, it’s seemingly business as usual — at first. Little does Hook realize what fantastic adventures await him and his pirate posse in their search for the elusive Peter Pan.

Early Monday night, the Trinity Lutheran church jam-packed parking lot served as a reflection on the inside of the church. The basement was filled with excited faces, as auditions were held for the play ‘Peter and Wendy.’

Put on by the Missoula Children’s Theatre, in association with the Pearl Theater, and many other sponsors; the auditions drew 77 participants, 64 of which were chosen.

Local cast members include: Judah Draxlir as Peter Pan and Elizabeth Bourassa as Peter’s Shadow.

Playing Tinker Bell is India Kucherry with Tobey Jensen, Lucy Lang, Meggie Kahenek, Corine Spain, Montana Merrill, Melanie Campbell, Jasius Draxlir, and Darling are Henry Willis and Ahanu Fasani.

Mr. and Mrs. Darling are Matthias Merrill and Isabelle Gold with Taylor Merrill and Ellie Rutherford as Nana and Liza.

The notorious Captain Hook is Kaleb Huseby with Carina Carle,´ Zac Carver, Katie Cushman, Karis Draxlir, Eliosa Gorino, William Hollabaugh, Christen Jones, Mina Lang, and Alana Nash as his Pirate crew.

Cana Jones is Tiger Lily and Lily Butler, Annabeth Comer, Sara Cummings, Natalya Tuma, Zabrielle Tuma, Maggie Weaver are the Neverlanders with Amy Carver, Hailey Dickson, Phoebe Lang, June Marshall, Aspen Merrill, and Elizabeth Ward as the Neverland Creatures.

Flying their way to Neverland are Helen Blackmore, Kordale Burt, Kyalynn Comer, Sammi Cummings, Avery Cushman, Aiden Dodd, Josiah Dodd, Chenoah Fasani, Benjamin Hollabaugh, Wyatt Lang, Addy Merrill, Cardon Pluid, Isaiah Purdom, Gunner Stevens, Brock Tuma, Collin Ward as Clouds.

Stage Managers include Heaven Allured and Emily Gorino, with Prop Master Isabella Allured and Lighting Technician Morgan Martin.

Special thanks to Verla Mae Saboe for learning so much music in a short time as piano accompanist. With Scott Mcgee as Smee/Tour Actor Director, and Casey Papas as Director.

Julia Cummings was picked for the role of Wendy.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity!” Cumming exclaimed, also confiding that this was her very first play.

In fact, many of the children had never participated in any play before. However, by the end of the night, it was as if they had been working together for weeks.

The Missoula Children’s Theater teaches the foundations of acting, the discipline. To take 65 ‘green’ children, and in less than a week turn a full production.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency in Bonners Ferry is brought to you by The Pearl Theater with support from The Log Inn, Bonners Ferry Family Medicine, Boundary County Community Theater, Boundary County School District #101, Dr. Hank Willis Dentistry, Bonners Ferry Rotary, Sugar Plum Florist and Greenhouse, and Super One Foods. The Pearl Theater is a non-profit organization, dedicated to fostering the performing arts throughout Boundary County. For more information or for membership, please call 208-610-2846 or email us: info@thepearltheater.org. This Friday and Saturday night promises a fun-filled, laughable production, put on by none other than the best and brightest of the community.

‘Peter & Wendy’ will be presented at Becker Auditorium at Bonners Ferry High School. Curtains open Friday at 6:30 p.m and Saturday at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students, and $25 for families. Tickets are available at the door.

For more information, call Lynn Haworth at 208-267-3800 or The Pearl Theater at 208-610-2846.