'Peter Pan' to fly into Naperville in January

The 56-member cast of Magical Starlight Theatre's "Peter Pan" is gearing up for the final push before its January performances.

"The cast is having so much fun," Director Kris Visher said. "They are obviously excited about the show."

"Pan" will fly into Naperville for performances Jan. 16-18 and 23-25 in the Naperville Central High School auditorium, 440 West Ave., and launch the company's 20th anniversary season. The group is sponsored by Naperville Park District.

"This musical is huge - a celebration from start to finish," Visher said.

John Apple, director of the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra and arts pastor of Springbrook Community Church in Plainfield, conducts the 14-piece pit orchestra for "Peter Pan." This is his fourth year conducting the orchestra for Magical Starlight Theatre productions.

"The park district and Magical Starlight Theatre have created wonderful, artistic moments for the Naperville community," he said. "It's family friendly, regardless of age."

Not only does the show provide great entertainment for audiences of all ages, it also gives the actors and participants a multigenerational experience and an activity in which multiple members of a family can participate. In fact, 14 of the 56 cast members have at least one other family member in the show.

Audiences can look forward to a performance that includes all of the original songs and scenes of the 1954 Broadway production, but with some surprises unique to the Naperville show.

"Tinkerbell is a surprise, for example," Apple said. "There are some wonderful twists. It's fresh and new and has elements that never have been done before."

Tickets may be purchased at www.napervilleparks.org, at any park district community relations desk, or by calling (630) 848-5000. For a complete list of performance times, visit www.napervilleparks.org.