It’s “Peter Pan” with a “Star Wars” twist and a Motown soundtrack.
If anyone can pull off such an odd mash-up, it’s Little People’s Repertory Theatre in Ben Lomond.
The group performs a traditional story with a rock ’n’ roll twist every summer and has been in production for 39 years. The cast of 73 kids sings classic rock, Motown and disco hits with the lyrics tweaked to tell the story.
Executive director Janinne Chadwick has worked with Little People’s Repertory Theater for the past 10 years, penning the soundtracks to the shows.
“I used to be a songwriter, so it worked out nicely,” Chadwick said. “Every year, we do a contemporary theme with a traditional story and parody classic rock and pop songs.”
The play asks its leads to mimic rock stars, as well.
“Captain Hook is also Darth Vader and James Brown,” Chadwick said.
Peter Pan’s alter ego is Luke Skywalker, and Tiger Lily doubles as Princess Leia, Chadwick explained.
“There’s a lot of Motown in this production,” she said.
Fourteen-year-old Sage Wilkinson will make his starring debut in the role of Peter, though the recent San Lorenzo Valley Middle School grad has had big roles before with the group.
“I’ve been performing here for four years, and two years ago, I started getting bigger parts,” Sage said. “My character is crazy and fun.”
Thirteen-year-old Sierra Laird, who will play Wendy, has been with the troupe since she was 7.
“I’m really excited to play Wendy, because this is the part I really wanted,” she said. “It’s been a lot of work to
prepare for the show, but it’s gone by really quickly.”
This is the last year she and Sage can perform with the group, as they will both go into high school this fall.
“I’m sad about it being my last show, because I’m really going to miss this a lot,” Sierra said. “But I’m in another theater group in Santa Cruz that I’m going to continue performing with.”
Chadwick said one of the best parts of running the production is seeing the community get involved.
“It’s a little town,” she said. “It’s really great to see all of the community members get involved and be able to bring kids from different schools together.”
Chadwick said everybody in the play has at least two lines and performs in two musical numbers.
“I love the music,” she said. “I think it’s really funny and cool. I love seeing the kids get to be rock stars for a little while.”
At a glance
WHAT: Little People’s Repertory Theatre presents “Peter Pan: May the Fairies Be with You”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 22 through 24 and July 28 through 31;
2 p.m. Sunday, July 25 and Aug. 1
WHERE: Park Hall, 9400 Mill St., in Ben Lomond
TICKETS: $12 general, $8 students
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