Fly to Columbia Children’s Theatre’s Peter Pan and Wendy

Just take “the third star to the left and straight on til morning” to see Columbia Children’s Theatre’s (CCT) latest Mainstage production, the award-winning Peter Pan and Wendy March 2 – 10.

From Peter Pan and Wendy, pictured l-r: Lee O. Smith, Sarah Krawczyk, Courtney Reasoner

Show times are Saturday, March 2 at 10:30 am, 2 pm, and 7 pm; Sunday, March 3 at 3 pm; Saturday, March 9 at 10:30 am, 2 pm, and 7 pm; and Sunday, March 10 at 3 pm.

All performances are held at Columbia Children’s Theatre’s performance space on the 1st level of Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive next to Barnes and Noble. Tickets are $10 for children three years of age through adult. The 7 pm performances on Saturday evenings will have a special ticket price of $5 for everyone. Advance tickets can be bought securely online at columbiachildrenstheatre.com.

This panto-style re-imagining of J.M. Barrie’s classic story with a book by the Helen Hayes Award-nominated Alyn Cardarelli and music by Grammy-nominated Steve Goers focuses on Wendy’s transition from child to responsible young lady; not to mention plenty of action and adventure in between. When Wendy refuses to leave the nursery and sleep downstairs, her mother gives her a mysterious box containing Peter Pan’s shadow. Unable to resist, Wendy opens it, Peter arrives, and they’re off to Neverland. But even there, Wendy must learn what it means to grow up.

The production features many CCT favorites and some new comers alike. Courtney Reasoner will tackle the role of Peter, while Sarah Krawczyk plays Wendy. Jordan Harper and Sara Jackson will portray both Mrs. Darling and Tiger Lily. Making their Mainstage debuts Liam Carrico and Luke Holt will take on the Lost boy role of Slightly, while CCT favorites Paul Lindley and Baker Morrison portray Tootles. Hook’s bumbling sidekick Mr. Smee will be played by Julian Deleon and Hook will be played by CCT’s most veteran actor Lee O. Smith. The show is directed by CCT Artistic Director, Jerry Stevenson with musical direction by Paul Lindley and choreography by Lisa Sendler.

“We’ve specifically avoided mounting any production of Peter Pan for the past fourteen years,” says CCT Artistic Director Jerry Stevenson. “It’s just really hard to fly someone in an old drug store. But using some recent technology, Lisa Sendler’s inventive choreography and a little bit of imagination, I think we’re pulling off the effect of some sort of ‘transportation’ quite well.”

Columbia Children’s Theatre is a professional resident not-for-profit theatre dedicated to providing quality live theatre experiences for families and young audiences. CCT’s current season is sponsored by The Braddock Group and Columbia Mom’s Blog. CCT is also supported in part by the City of Forest Acres, and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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