Theater’s ‘Peter Pan’ ready to fly

BANGOR – Penobscot Theatre will magically transport audiences to Neverland as it stages Scottish playwright J.M. Barrie’s 1904 play “Peter Pan” Dec. 12-23 at the historic Opera House at 131 Main St.

“Before the book, before the musical and before all the movies, Barrie wrote his play of the boy who wouldn’t grow up,” said Scott R.C. Levy, producing artistic director. “And in our performance, Peter will fly and he will cross swords with Captain Hook.”

Levy, directed last season’s “Tuesdays With Morrie” and “I Am My Own Wife,” and this season’s “Driving Miss Daisy.”

Jonah Spear will star as Peter. His training includes National Theatre Institute, Moscow Art Theater School, Boston University and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He has tumbled into walls on the “Late Show” with David Letterman; flown off trampolines at City Center; and filmed a special for Cirque Du Soleil in Montreal. Spear grew up enjoying vivid dreams of flying and is delighted to play Peter Pan.

Kate Kenney, who holds a bachelor’s in acting from Rutgers University, plays Wendy. She studied at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, toured the United States as a puppeteer and performed as a magician’s assistant on an international cruise. Among her credits are “The Black Pearl,” “Michael & Me” and CW’s hit series “Gossip Girl.”

The cast of 27 will feature 12 children: Will Houston, Max and Angie Iannazzi, and Elizabeth Parsons of Hampden; Logan Dixon of Hermon; Zole Hawthorn, Conor Kenny and Alice Philbrick of Bangor; Jenny Hancock and Teal Broussard of Brewer; and Noam and Zivi Osher of Orono.

Angela Bonacasa joins the Penobscot Theatre Company as fight director to teach Peter, Captain Hook and his pirates the careful art of crossing swords. She is a certified teacher of stage combat with the Society of American Fight Directors. ZFX Inc. will provide the flying effects.

The Penobscot Theatre’s production of “Peter Pan” appears in repertory with the return of David Sedaris’ hilarious “The Santaland Diaries,” the thorny account of a washed-up, out-of-work actor who lands seasonal employment as Crumpet the elf.

Starring in Sedaris’ monologue is Penobscot Theater director in residence Nathan Halvorson. Joye Cook-Levy returns to direct “The Santaland Diaries.”

The alternate adult holiday offering of “The Santaland Diaries” is touring Maine before its Dec. 15 opening at the Bangor Opera House with afternoon and late night performances.

Lex Liang, Penobscot Theatre resident designer for the past two seasons, returns as set and costume designer. Lighting designer Jonathan Spencer recently was assistant lighting designer for Broadway productions of “Wicked” and “Legally Blonde.”

Sponsors for “Peter Pan” include Bangor Daily News, Dead River Co., Hollywood Slots at Bangor, Bangor Savings Bank, Bangor International Airport, The Charles Inn, Kiss 94.5, The Maine Edge and WLBZ NewsCenter 2. Merrill Bank sponsors “Santaland Diaries.”

The schedule for “Peter Pan” is 7 p.m. Dec. 12-16 and 19-23; and 1 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and 22-23.

“The Santaland Diaries” schedule is 4 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and 22-23; 10 p.m. Dec. 15 and 21-22; and 7 p.m. Dec. 17-18.

Call the theater at 942-3333 or (877) PTC-TIXX for tickets.