'Peter Pan' flies to Spanos Theatre

Fly away to Never Never Land and join Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys on their spectacular adventure of wonder and excitement as they battle the villainous Captain Hook, his bumbling sidekick Smee and his crooked pirates at Cal Poly’s Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre July 20 through 29.

The Broadway musical “Peter Pan: The Musical,” by Kelrik Productions, is its most ambitious and elaborate show thus far. The musical features stunning special effects, including flying, scenic drops and lighting, and excellent singing and acting.

“We can’t top this one,” said Kelrik Productions founder Erik Austin. “We have amazing Broadway sets and lighting – and flying! This show is perfect for all ages, it’s for the young and young at heart.”

Austin also plays the part of Captain Hook and Mr. Darling. He graduated from San Luis Obispo High School and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. After completing his studies, Austin moved to Los Angeles where he began producing musical theater for young audiences. Austin moved back to the Central Coast in 2004 where he continued producing quality live theater.

Kelrik introduces young people to – and foster their appreciation of – live theater, stimulate thought and creativity, and produce local talent. Kelrik also offers local audiences the chance to experience of high-quality theater. Kelrik was voted “Best Children’s Theater” in Los Angeles by “LA Parents Magazine” in 2000.

In the past, Kelrik has produced “Wizard of Oz,” “Cinderalla,” and the “Little Mermaid.”

In the musical, the Darling children receive an unusual visit from Peter Pan (played by Ally Schmitt) in their London apartment. Peter is searching for his lost shadow, accompanied by his fairy companion Tinker Bell. Proclaiming he will “never grow up,” Peter captivates the Darling children, Wendy (Katie Ridge), John (Joe Ogren) and Michael (Jake Wynn), with the ability to fly.

With a little bit of fairy dust and lovely thoughts, the Darling’s accompany Peter and Tinker Bell to the magical island of Never Land where nobody grows up. There, the Darlings meet Peter’s cronies, the Lost Boys, who ally with the Indian tribe lead by Princess Tiger Lily (Olivia Miller) to battle evil Captain Hook and his blundering crew.

The ensemble cast draws on a range of talent from the Central Coast. Lead characters are played by experienced local actors who bring professionalism to the ensemble, and younger actors have the opportunity to work in this professional-quality production.

The cost of producing “Peter Pan” is considerable. None of the actors are paid, and pre-production costs such as the technicians and flying equipment, rehearsal space, costumes and sets, musicians, and advertising are already in excess of $35,000.

Kelrik began auditions and rehearsing for “Peter Pan” two months ago. They recruited the company ZFX, who provides equipment for Broadway shows for state-of-the-art flying equipment and aerial choreography, costumes, and the scenic props.

To create the flying technique, actors are attached to a hidden harness, and the flying equipment has a pendulum, which moves the actors up and down, and a tract to move side-to-side, controlled by two technicians. It took six and a half hours to set up the equipment, said Austin, and they have been rehearsing flying for four hours a day since Sunday with flying director Stu Cox of ZFX.

“The flying is intense,” actor Katie Ridge said. “We practice with the flying instructor for four to five hours a day of just flying, no acting, just flying.”

Ridge, 19, has been acting for six years; she also sang for the Children’s Coast Choir when she was 10-years-old. She is originally from Atascadero, but currently resides in Los Angeles while pursuing film opportunities.

“I played the part of Wendy a couple years ago in a smaller production, and Erik asked me to come back and play Wendy again,” Ridge said. “Now that I’m older, it’s difficult to get back into my youth and play this character.”

Other actors faced challenges in the play.

“This is a very physical comedy,” said Randy Pound. “I play Smee, Hook’s right hand man, so I get pummeled a lot in the show.”

Pound, 43, did some acting in high school and started getting back into it for the past four years. He has acted in many local musicals including “Annie,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and “Westside Story” at the SLO Little Theater.

The cast hopes the show will be a smash-hit with the audience.

“This play is grand scale,” Pound said. “I hope the audience will be in awe of our fabulous sets and flying. I expect to hear ‘oohs and awe’s’ and giggles, and that the audience sits back, enjoy, and have a great time.”

“This show will allow the audience to have a feeling of being a child again, and it’s fun and exciting,” Ridge said. “I hope to see many people every night and come out with a smile on their faces.”