"Peter Pan" in Pt. Pleasant

Here's a story from today's Herald-Dispatch about a popular show taking the stage in Pt. Pleasant:

The French Art Colony’s Riverby Theatre Guild is preparing for a production of J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan featuring more than 50 local volunteer actors and crew.

The production will take place at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily Saturdays, July 23 and July 30, at Point Pleasant High School’s Wedge Auditorium.

The original production of Peter Pan premiered on a London stage on Dec. 27, 1904, with the popular book following 11 years later. RTG is producing a recently updated version of the classic, staying true to much of Barrie’s original dialog and intent for the audience experience.

The production is directed by French Art Colony and Riverby Theatre Guild Executive Director, Joseph Wright. According to Wright, Peter Pan has a unique history.

“It is clear when reading Barrie’s extensive character descriptions and stage directions he was passionate about capturing a child’s imagination in a very true and magical manner, speaking to every audience member, whether child or adult,” he said in a news release. “Our production highlights how simply one can use his or her imagination to create amazing adventures.”

The Darling Children, Captain Hook, Tinkerbell, Tigerlilly, the Lost Boys, Nana, Smee and the pirates, mermaids and fairies are all featured in the production, and brought to life by volunteer actors age 4 through adult from throughout the area. Volunteer teams have created the many colorful costumes for the actors, as well as the imaginative sets to represent the nursery, a mermaids’ lagoon, the full Neverland island, and the large, 20-feet-long Hook’s pirate ship, recently seen in local parades.

The production is sponsored by The French Art Colony, Holzer Health Systems, WBYG Big Country 99.5, Sunny 93.1 and The Ohio Arts Council.

More information regarding the production, including ticket information, can be obtained by calling the French Art Colony at 740-446-3834 or by visiting www.frenchartcolony.org.