Peter Pan to Sprinkle Pixie Dust Over Jacksonville Opera Theatre

11/26/2018


Take the second star to the right, straight on to the Oxford Performing Arts Center, for the Jacksonville Opera Theatre’s production of JM Barrie’s beloved classic, “Peter Pan,” on stage Jan. 4-10.

It’s a story we all know and love. Peter and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbell, visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night and, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, begin a magical journey across the stars they’ll never forget. 

This high-flying Tony Award winning musical has been performed around the world and delighted audiences for 60 years. Featuring the iconic songs "I'm Flying," "I've Gotta Crow," "I Won't Grow Up" and "Never Never Land," it’s the perfect show for the child in all of us who dreams of soaring high and never growing up. 

But while this enchanting tale is familiar to audiences, the JSU production will contain a few surprises.

“One of the dangers with this show is that it has been done in so many ways, so many times,” said Carrie Colton, the JSU drama professor directing the production. “We are hoping to modernize it and find an edgier and more relatable Peter for 2019. The magic will be as original as the production.”

The cast is comprised of JSU students and members of the community broken down into three major groups: Pirates, played by character actors; Brave Warriors, played by strong dancers including JSU Marching Ballerinas; and Lost Boys, played by local children.

“It’s a wonderful and diverse mix of individuals,” said Colton. “Peter Pan is such a complicated show with so many moving parts and on top of it all, we have to make the characters fly. Expect greatness, expect originality and expect to have a good time.” 

Performance dates and times are: 

  • Jan. 4, 7 p.m.
  • Jan. 5, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  • Jan. 6, 2 p.m.
  • Jan. 10, 7 p.m.

Ticket prices for regular performances range $19-29 for adults, $23 for OPAC Gold Circle members, and $7 for JSU students and guests younger than age 18. Purchase tickets online.

School group performances will be held on Jan. 10 at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Teachers can book online. The cost is $5 per child, but the Jacksonville Opera Theatre hopes to send 4,500 children to see the classic musical for free. A fundraiser is being held on Dec. 6 at Classic on Noble to purchase tickets for school groups. For $35, guests will enjoy dinner, entertainment from the Peter Pan cast, a cash bar and auction. Purchase fundraiser tickets online. To make a donation, contact Nathan Wight, director of operatic activities, at nwight@jsu.edu. 

Since 2003, the Jacksonville Opera Theatre has presented vibrant, professionally staged productions featuring musical talent from JSU’s David L. Walters Department of Music. All productions are conducted, directed and designed by university faculty and staff and star JSU music and drama students. Learn more about the Jacksonville Opera Theatre at www.jacksonvilleopera.org and more about its production of “Peter Pan” at www.ThePeterPan.com.