Flathead Theatre reimagines classic adventure in 'Peter/Wendy'
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 7 months, 1 week AGO
Flathead High School Theatre brings "Peter/Wendy" to the stage. The cast includes Lily Amundson as Mr. Darling, Natalie Young as Mrs. Darling, Lev Strong as Lost Boy, Makenzie Westphal as Tinkerbell, Fallon Maas the Acting 4 IB Director, Samara Hackley as Peter Pan, Sophie Hebert as Wendy Darling, Dilia Dederick as Tiger Lily, Gabriella Thomas as Captain Hook, Sam Randall as Smee and Natalie Haag as Mermaid. (Courtesy photo)
Flathead High School Theatre invites audiences to take flight into the dreamlike world of Neverland with its upcoming production of “Peter/Wendy,” an enchanting and thought-provoking retelling of J.M. Barrie’s beloved classic Peter Pan.
Performances will be held May 22 and 23 at 6:27 PM in the David M. Hashley Theatre at FHS.
Tickets for “Peter/Wendy” are now available for purchase online through GoFan, Flathead’s official online ticketing service. Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $6 for children, students, and senior citizens. Tickets are also available for purchase at the FHS Main Office and Photo Video Plus. If any tickets remain, they will be sold at the door on the night of the performance.
The story follows Peter, the boy who refuses to grow up, as he lures Wendy Darling from her nursery to Neverland. In this magical world, they encounter the feisty fairy Tinker Bell, the noble Tiger Lily, fearsome pirates, mysterious mermaids, and the infamous Captain Hook. As the narrative unfolds, deeper themes of friendship, loyalty and the passage of time emerge, elevating the show beyond a typical children’s story.
“At its core, Peter/Wendy is about the emotional experience of growing up. It peels back the layers of a classic story and allows the audience a glimpse into a world that they may have forgotten about: the world of make-believe; the world of not yet being a grown-up,” said student director, Fallon Maas. “Our class chose this show because we all loved the story of Peter Pan, and as a class of mostly senior students, I think we could all relate to the sentiment of not wanting to grow up. We thought it would be a great story to tell, and for many of us, a great last show.”
This one-act play unfolds in a compact yet powerful format, blending fantasy with an ethereal tone that both children and adults will find enchanting.
“This show is truly unique because of how it was written. It's written as half performance, half commentary, where the actors deliver monologues in a gray area, where they aren't themselves or their character, but merely a storyteller. It creates a very dream-like atmosphere that is very fun and interesting to watch,” said Maas.
Written by playwright Jeremy Bloom, the play captures the fantastical elements that have made Peter Pan a timeless tale, and also explores the bittersweet transition when childhood fades and adulthood begins, making it meaningful for everyone watching.
“I think everyone who sees this show will be able to take something valuable away from it. For the younger audience, I hope that they leave the theater feeling hopeful about the future, because it truly does hold so many wonderful opportunities;” said Maas. “For the older audience, I hope they are able to walk away full of fondness for their own childhoods, and proud of how far they have come.”
As part of Flathead High School’s comprehensive theatre curriculum, the Acting 4 IB class offers students the chance to deepen their skills in character development, stagecraft, and script analysis. The production of Peter/Wendy serves as the culmination of these efforts, showcasing months of dedication and creative collaboration.
“Being a student director, especially for this show, has been a wild journey. I have wanted to pitch and direct this show since I was a sophomore, so for it to actually be happening feels very surreal,” said Maas. “This process has been wonderful for the class. Everyone is so excited about their characters and telling this story, and are all so supportive of each other. It's been a great experience!”
Don’t miss this heartfelt and immersive theatrical experience where you can embark on a journey “to the second star to the right and straight on ’til morning.”
The cast of “Peter/Wendy” includes Samara Hackley, Sophie Hebert, Mackenzie Westphal, Gabriella Thomas, Samuel Randall, Lev Strong, Dilia Dederick, Adisen Haag, Natalie Young and Lilith Amundson.
The stage and technical crew includes Iris Bruce, Alison Putzler, Simon Ort, Bayliss Cummings, Ethan Kauffman, Bronson Willcut, Lincoln McElwain, Michelle DeYoung, Colin Lincoln, Lynne Beisel, Aubrie Mannon, Jolee Pitts, Mia Lamantia and Paisley Boykin-Smith.