LP Stage Productions doubles Peter Pan cast

November 12, 2014 · 0 Comments

Anyone with kids in LP Stage Productions will tell you that producer/directors Alison Port and Dale Lundy work hard to give every child a taste of real theatre and a meaningful learning experience. The amateur troupe’s rehearsals strive towards a completely polished and professional production. They earned the praise and support of local schools at their last youth production Annie. This time the company has gone even further to include as many enthusiastic kids in the performance as possible by double casting their up-coming production of Peter Pan.
After the success of Annie at Grace Tipling last spring, producer Alison Port said “we knew there were a lot of kids interested in our next production, and a lot of young ones too, so we chose Peter Pan Jr. We were overwhelmed by the response to the auditions…the talent pool is endless in this growing community.”
LP Stage Productions ended up with 40 kids for the production and double cast the lead roles to give everyone a chance. Port says, “It makes sense to do this sometimes with a show, in case an actor gets sick and can’t perform we already have a stand by for them, and it also showcases more talent.”
However, 40 children in a rehearsal hall do generate additional challenges for the burgeoning theatre company. “It takes more rehearsal time to run it twice with both casts,” says Port, “where maybe we would have done some choreography or music in that same time frame.” Having so many kids in the show of all different age groups has been tricky too. “We have some as young as five, up to kids who are 16,” she explains. “It gets very noisy sometimes, and focus is lost very quickly if you don’t keep moving on with new things.”
Everyone in LP Stage Productions is asked to follow the same rules no matter what their age: learning music, lines, choreography, staying focused and committed. “They are all actors to us,” says Port, “it isn’t as easy as people think.” Some of the cast have never been in a show, and the director hopes they are not too overwhelmed by it all. “My pleasure comes from seeing the growth they have made at the end of rehearsals when they are actually ready to perform for an audience. That is what makes it worthwhile for all of us,” she says.
Dale Lundy, who directed Annie while Alison directed their main stage musical Gypsy last spring, is also the technical director for LP Stage Productions. Lundy “loves creating and designing sets, and wishes he had more time to do so on a full time basis.” Like his partner, he faces some big challenges in Peter Pan including: “How do we fly Peter?” Lundy researched a lot of sites and suggestions and made a Plan A and Plan B for the boy who wouldn’t grow up. Audiences will see which plan he chose when the play opens next month.
“Grace Tipling is a beautiful theatre, but not very big,” says Lundy, “so set building for the kind of shows we do is always a challenge.” LP Productions is known for producing popular Broadway musicals usually done on a more elaborate scale in bigger venues; however they work hard to “make something realistic and something the kids can appreciate,” said Lundy.
The lead roles for Peter Pan are double cast and those actors perform those lead roles only at specific performances (listed below.) The ensemble cast performs in all shows and includes: Savannah Da Silva, Keith Bascom, Jaimi-Lee Allen, Ryleigh Smith, Bryce Hull, Jocelyn Glenday, Constance Osuchowski, Alyiah Davis, Samantha Wiesner, Jocelyn Glenday, Sara Woodiany, Sarah Bannon, Jaimie Smith, Emma Springer, Ryan Hull, Alyiah Davis, Jocelyn Glenday, Samantha Wiesner, Kaydan St Louis, Emma Ward, Brooklyn Pris, Morgan Copeland, Addison Milley, Ella Milley, Mikaelle Steinberg.
To make sure you get out and see the familiar little Fairies, Peters, Wendys, Hooks and Pirates from your family or neighbourhood – the double cast leads and their performance dates are listed below:
CAST A leads: Peter Pan…Katie Creelman Tinker Bell… Morgan Isaac Wendy… Maggie Carr John… Cameron Glenday Michael… Ethan Isaac Mr. Darling/ Hook…. Sebastian Ellis Mrs. Darling… Julia Herzberg Smee… Annie Cameron Tiger Lily… Madison Ducross and the ensemble cast!
Cast A will be performing their lead roles on the following dates:
Thursday Dec 4th (School Matinee)
Friday Dec 5th (Evening)
Saturday Dec 6th (Matinee)
Sunday Dec 7th (Matinee)
Thursday Dec 11th (Evening)
Friday Dec 12th (School Matinee)
Saturday Dec 13th (Evening)
CAST B leads: Peter Pan…Unique Dekrijger Tinker Bell…Acacia Dekrijger Wendy…Darcey Baker John…. Kayla Dollimore Michael…Claire Bouzane Mr. Darling/ Hook… Sheldon Peeters Mrs. Darling…Rejean Ghanem Smee…Hope Petican Tiger Lily…Farrah Ghanem and the ensemble cast!
Cast B will be performing their lead roles on the following dates:
Thursday Dec 4th (Evening)
Friday Dec 5th (School Matinee)
Saturday Dec 6th (Evening)
Thursday Dec 11th (School Matinee)
Friday Dec 12th (Evening)
Saturday Dec 13th (Matinee)
Sunday Dec 14th (Matinee)
School matinees are sold out for LP Stage Production’s Peter Pan, but tickets for all other shows may be purchased at the door (cash only) of Grace Tipling Hall. You can also order on line at lpstageproductionsinc.com or by calling the Shelburne Town Hall directly at 519 925-2600. Peter Pan is a great show for everyone, especially kids. The prices for adults: $ 15/ students and seniors: $12.For the Saturday and Sunday matinées, tickets for adults: $12/ students and seniors: $10.

By Marni Walsh

Choreographer Kristen Gamache, who teaches dance in Dundalk, leads the cast of Peter Pan in the choreography for the musical number “What makes the Brave Man Brave.”

Photos by Marni Walsh
Most of the young cast of 40 in LP Productions Peter Pan Jr. opening Dec. 4th at Grace Tipling Hall in Shelburne. Children from 5–16 years of age make up the cast.