It took more than magic to get 'Peter Pan' cast flying
Annamarie Abbate has always dreamed of flying. On July 24 she will set out on her first solo flight, past the second star to the right, and straight on 'til morning.
Abbate, 16, was cast as Wendy Darling in the Footlighters Theatre Company's upcoming production of "Peter Pan."
In the beginning, she and her fellow cast members Max Ulbert (John Darling) and Matt Rice (Michael Darling) were told the production budget only allowed for Peter Pan to "fly;" the rest of the cast would remain earthbound.
"The plan was for us to use theater magic, lights and blackouts to simulate the flight of the Darling children from the nursery to Never Land," said Director Jack Lambert. "We knew Abbate, Ulbert and Oliver were disappointed."
Abbate, however, felt committed to the show and her cast members from the start.
"I had a plan, that involved more than just thinking lovely thoughts," Abbate said.
She called Hall Flying Associates in DeKalb, the company contracted to fly Peter Pan, and discovered it would cost an additional $1,300 to make the other Darling children airborne as well.
"I thought, 'Maybe there is a way I can raise the money,'" Abbate said. "I went to my parents, friends of my parents who owned businesses and cast members and asked for financial help."
Six businesses contributed: Sports Page Grill; Beacon Tap; Emerald Landscaping; Red Top Valet Service; North Suburban Asphalt Maintenance and Autocraft Body Shop. So did five cast members, including Ulbert and Rice. Abbate also organized a garage sale to net an additional $130.
Altogether she raised $1,250.
"Her enthusiasm, enterprise and drive to make this the best performance possible is inspirational," Lambert said. "We often see this kind of dedication from adults in community theater, who are used to making sacrifices and operating on a shoe string. To see this kind of initiative in a young person is remarkable."
The on stage "flying" is accomplished by building a rigging designed with a pulley system and a custom-fit harness worn under the actor's costume.
"We have parents train on the system for two days and then work all eight of the shows for safety and consistency in the flights," Lambert said.
This is Lambert's eighth Footlighters production, and his first time directing "Peter Pan." He said 110 actors auditioned, from age 7 to adult; 52 were cast.
Abbate will be a junior at Maine South this fall. Her theater credits include "My Favorite Year," "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Grease."
Ulbert will be in the seventh grade at River Trails Middle School in Mount Prospect this fall. "Peter Pan" is his sixth production with Footlighters, and his first leading role.
Rice will be in the seventh grade this fall at Aptakisic Junior High in Buffalo Grove. "Peter Pan" is his second show with Footlighters, having starred as Oliver in "Oliver!" His other shows are "Honk!" "Pippen," "A Doll's House" and three runs of "A Christmas Carol" at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights.
All three actors remarked that the best part of their experience was the tight knit feeling of friendship that has developed over the course of their rehearsals and performances.
"Often in our family shows we cast siblings and parents and their children," Lambert said. "By the end of the run, however, we are all one big family."
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News">"Peter Pan," at the Prairie Lakes Theatre, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines.</p> <p class="News"><b>Show times:</b> July 24-to Aug. 2; 8 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays.</p> <p class="News"><b>Tickets:</b> $12 ages 13-59; $10 seniors (60 and up) and children 12 and under. Ask about special promotions for grandparents and seniors.</p> <p class="News"><b>Box office:</b> Open 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday.</p> <p class="News"><b>Details:</b> (847) 391-5711 or <a href="http://www.desplainesparks.org" target="new">www.desplainesparks.org</a>.</p>