by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The production of Peter Pan, one of the biggest undertakings ever for the Wellington Community Theater and Children’s Theater, is slightly more than a week away.

The production is set for Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 23 at 2:30 p.m. at the Wellington High School auditorium. If it isn’t the biggest WCT production, it most certainly is the first to feature flying characters.

Hannah Shelley, shown in the video above, is Peter Pan. She along with Brenna Brown as Wendy Darling;  Sam Page as John Darling; and Austin Harriger as Michael Darling will be hoisted in the air using flying equipment by ZFX Flying Effects – a company that specializes in putting actors in the air. 

With a $5,000 investment for the flying equipment, the WCT will be bringing the Broadway hit Peter Pan the Musical in all its glory. Its an adaption by Piers Chater Robinson of London made famous by Cathy Rigby.

“It really is a physically demanding job to sing and fly at the same time,” said Bob Brown, Director of the WCT production. “You have to be in great shape. Luckily Hannah is perfect for the job.”

Brenna Brown as Wendy Darling; Sam Page as John Darling; and Austin Harriger as Michael Darling

Brown, along with his wife, Michelle, have been working on the play for over a year. Brown had asked the Wellington school board over a year ago to use the flying equipment and the high school auditorium – which the board acquiesced along with a call to the school’s insurance agent.

But not to worry. A local flying team has been well trained for the musical.

Terry Nelson of ZFX came in from Minnesota last weekend and spent three or four hours setting up the stage. He then trained the four Wellington actors who were strapped to a cable-type wire and harness, and taught to fly… literally. It was a marathon 16 hours worth of training learning how to fly to Never Never Land while singing simultaneously – not an easy feat.

There will be 50 people in the Wellington production with about 30 working backstage.

“I think what I’m most proud of is this is a cast of local actors,” Brown said. “I didn’t want this to become a production by people from Wichita.”

There are a slew of other characters who are well grounded. Robert Hobbs will play the evil Captain James Hook.

All the familiar characters are present, including Peter and Wendy, the Darlings and their loyal dog-nurse Nana, evil Captain Hook, his sidekick Smee, Tiger Lily, and of course, the crafty crocodile, “Tick-Tock”. The cast is rounded out with Lost Boys, pirates, Neverland Indians, fairies and mermaids.

Peter Pan the Musical is perfect for the entire family.

“And it will be climate controlled,” Brown said. The WCT productions have been performed in the steamy Wellington Junior High building in recent years.

Robinson, from London, adapted this play from the J.M. Barrie’s book for the stage. It is not based in anyway off the Disney animation cartoon. Robinson’s innovative Peter Pan musical score is well-known and loved, performed in professional and amateur productions all over the world. Peter Pan the Musical has catchy, up-tempo musical numbers that bring new energy to this classic tale.

The play was made possible by the $1,000 sponsors including: Impact Bank, Wellington Travel & Tourism $500 – Bank of Commerce, Mission Thrift Shop, Security State Bank, Walmart, Wellington Christian Academy $250 – Hawks-Shelley Funeral Home, Sumner County FCC, Sumner Regional Medical Center, Wayne & Helen White, and the former Wellington Family Practice.

All seats are general admission. Tickets at the door are $10 general admission, $5 for children 6-12 years old and children 5 years and under are free. Doors open 30 minutes before show time.

Advance Tickets are $8 for general admission only. Advance tickets can be purchased from cast members or at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, 207 S Washington Avenue, Wellington, KS or online at www.ctwellington.blogspot.com.