Studio West’s Musical Theatre Program is literally soaring to new heights with its latest production opening next week at Ladner’s Genesis Theatre.
When director and choreographer Jyla Robinson and Nicol Spinola decided to proceed with Disney’s Peter Pan Jr. it was only if they could replicate the magic when the two long-time friends worked together on the same show at the Royal City Musical Theatre Company 20 years earlier.
“They had Peter Pan and Wendy in front of Michael flying and it was the most magical show that we’ve ever been a part of. When we decided to do this it was only if we could add this element,” said Robinson.
It meant the studio making a significant investment for main characters Ruby Koehn (Wendy), Anika Rintol (Michael), Olivia Gilmore (Peter Pan), Abigail Rozmus (Tinkerbell) and Finn Koefed (John) to work with Langley-based Circus Lab where they got to experience “flying” for the first time recently under the coaching of flight director Jason Waugh.
“It’s very uncommon and it’s expensive, but it’s all about safety too,” continued Robinson. “It was really cool to watch them learn how to just sit and be comfortable in the air (about 30 feet above the stage). Their coach had them do activities like trying to catch whiffle balls, so they weren’t focusing so much on the height. I think the audience will be really thrilled to see that element added to the musical.
“We have so many details already mapped out (for Genesis) but it all comes down to our technical rehearsal in the theater, so it will be hooking everything up and seeing where it sort of lands on the stage and then making sure our set fits properly. It’s quite a puzzle.”
Peter Pan Jr. sees Wendy, Michael, and John Darling meet and befriend Peter Pan when the mysterious boy and a fairy named Tinker Bell enter their nursery in search of Peter’s lost shadow.
Peter whisks his new friends away to Neverland, an island with “hardly any space between one adventure and the other.” There, Peter introduces the Darling children to his fellow Lost Boys, children who – like Peter – never grow up. The crew launches into a great adventure where they encounter Brave Girls, led by the incredible Tiger Lily, and Pirates led by the dreaded Captain Hook. Challenges ensue when the Darling children are ensnared in Captain Hook’s sinister plan to seek revenge on Peter.
In total there will be 35 cast members.
Robinson also praised the work of director assistants Michael Kirk and Ann Matterson, two of her former students. Matterson also oversees the musical direction.
“They are two amazing assistants that used to go our studio. It’s just nice to have two young adults who are so passionate about theatre and inspire our young kids as well,” she added.
Peter Pan Jr. will be performed on Friday, April 28 (7 p.m.) and Saturday, April 29 (1 p.m.). Tickets are $25 and available at http://www.studiowestdance.ca/peterpan.
