Photo Flash: Meet the Stars of NW Children's Theater's PETER PAN

Celebrate NW Children's Theater & School's 20th Birthday with the story that launched the company! Peter Pan and his Shadow, Captain Hook and his crew of cowardly pirates, Wendy, Tinkerbell, and the Lost Boys fly off the stage in this fast-paced, thrilling, musical journey to Neverland. An NWCT World Premiere, PETER PAN, by Milo Mowery and Rodolfo Ortega, will play December 8, 2012, through January 6, 2013. Meet Peter Pan and Captain Hook in the photos below!

The legend of "The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up" began back in 1904 with J.M Barrie's original stage play. Over the past century, Peter Pan has been adapted into films, books, and graphic novels. It is also the story that gave NW Children's Theater & School its start back in 1993. For their 20th Anniversary Season, the Children's Theater has commissioned an original musical adaptation by author Milo Mowery and composer Rodolfo Ortega. With direction by NWCT Artistic Director Sarah Jane Hardy, Peter Pan marks the return of the creative team behind last year's El Zorrito: The Legend of the Boy Zorro, which won a drammy for "Outstanding Original Script."

Also returning from El Zorrito are its three leads: NWCT Resident Artist John Ellingson will don the eponymous hook, local comedian Kevin-Michael Moore will portray his first mate Smee, and 14-year-old opera prodigy Michael Kepler Meo will take to the air as Peter Pan (all three are PAMTA award-winning performers). The role of Wendy Darling will be split between Meredith Waggoner and Drammy/PAMTA award-winner Lea Zawada. The play boasts a host of sword fights, choreographed by Zero Feeney, as the Captain Hook's pirates clash with Peter's lost boys.

Peter and friends will take flight courtesy of Flying By Foy (in addition to healthy dose of fairy dust, and "lovely, wonderful thoughts"), who will be installing a fly system on NWCT's newly redesigned mainstage. NWCT's crew is working round the clock to tear down the two-decade- old "temporary structure" in order to replace the old wooden frames with aluminum truss. This upgrade will allow for more elaborate sets, improved lighting, and, of course, flight!

Peter Pan is produced in part through the support of the Collins Foundation, Regional Arts and Culture Council and Work for Art, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, and NWCT Donor Circle Members. More than 3,500 school children will share in the adventure during twelve student matinee performances.

NW Children's Theatre is located at 1819 NW Everett Street Suite 216 Portland, Oregon. Tickets: Adults $18-22, Youth $13-18. Call 503-222-4480 or visit www.nwcts.org for more information.

Photo Credit: David Kinder