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Front row, left to right: Abigail Ehinger (Peter Pan), Brett Hunter (John), Nathan Jackson (Michael); Back row, left to right: Bill Shewman (Smee), Christopher Murphy (Captain Hook), Janet Piercy (Mrs. Darling), Emilie Henry (Wendy), Todd Dillon (Mr. Darling)

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Links to sites about "Peter Pan"

Buy the CD from Amazon.com!

OR buy the Cathy Rigby recording!Nominated for a 1999 Tony Award!

SYNOPSIS
Act I
Scene One: Home of the Darling Family

It's bed time at the Darling household as Mr. and Mrs. Darling prepare to go out for the evening. The children, Wendy, John and Michael, are left under the watchful eyes of Nana, their faithful dog, and Liza, their housekeeper After the children are tucked into bed, Peter Pan comes in with his fairy, Tinkerbell. They are looking for Peter's shadow, which he lost the last time he sneaked in to hear Mrs. Darling tell bedtime stories. Peter finds his shadow, but cannot get it to stick when Wendy awakens. They become acquainted and Peter invites Wendy to Neverland. Wendy wakes up her brothers so they can go too. Peter teaches them all to fly and off they go, to the land of Pirates, Indians and a tribe of Lost Boys.

Scene Two: Flying Over London

Peter and the Darling children fly back and forth over London on their way to Neverland, where boys never grow older

Act II
Scene One: Neverland

The Lost Boys are playing and trying to avoid both Pirates and Indians. The Pirates march on carrying their beloved Captain Hook, the "Cruelest Jewel" on the seven seas. Hook explains the loss of his hand to a crocodile because of Peter Pan. While talking they accidentally discover that the Lost Boys and Peter Pan live underground. When the crocodile enters, looking for the rest of Hook, the Pirates leave. The Indians come along and spot a Lost Boy. They trick him into coming out of hiding and grab him. The other Lost Boys also grab the boy and a tug of war ensues. Just then Wendy arrives in Neverland. The boys mistake her for a big white bird, the Indians run away in fear and the boys shoot her with an arrow. Peter arrives with John and Michael and realizes that she's alright - the arrow struck a button she'd hung around her neck. The boys build a house for Wendy and ask her to be their mother She agrees, as long as Peter will agree to be the father The Pirates sneak back and put out a poisonous cake for the boys, but Wendy prevents them from eating it. That's when Hook hatches a plot to kidnap and murder the boys and keep Wendy for their mother.

Scene Two: Path Through the Woods

The Pirates chase after the Indians and catch their leader; Tiger Lily. They bring her back and tie her to a tree. Peter disguises his voice as Captain Hook and orders her release. It is the beginning of a new partnership between the Indians and Peter Pan. When Hook returns, he is furious. Peter disguises his voice again as Hook and confuses the other Pirates into leaving. Peter and Hook then play a game of hide and seek in the woods where Peter disguises himself as a mysterious lady. Just when Hook discovers Peter's disguise and his men are about to grab Peter, the scene ends when the Indians save Peter and chase after the Pirates. Now the partnership is fully established.

Scene Three: Underground Home

In the Lost Boys' underground home, Wendy has the boys cleaning up after dinner Peter has not yet arrived. While Wendy tells the boys more stories, the Indians crowd into the underground hideaway. Just before war breaks out between them, Peter enters and tells the boys about saving Tiger Lily and how she saved him. At bedtime the Indians go above ground to Serve as watchmen and to guard the boys. As the boys are getting ready for bed, Peter sings the boys an old lullaby he remembers. It makes the boys sad and they ask him if they can all go back home with John and Michael. Peter says yes and while the boys are getting ready to go, the Pirates attack the Indians and run them off. Then, one by one, as the boys come up out of their underground home, the Pirates grab them and bundle them up. Peter goes to sleep, unaware of the kidnapping, and Hook sneaks into the lair to put poison into Peter's medicine. To save Peter, the suddenty selfless Tinkerbell drinks the poison and nearly dies. But the audience saves her and at the end of the scene, Peter and Tink are heading out to save Wendy and the boys.

Act III

Scene One: Pirate Ship

On the ship Hook prepares to set the boys off the plank when Peter and the Indians arrive, secreting themselves on board Hook's vessel. Two of the Pirates are tricked into going down into the cabins where they will not come out again and the whole ship is in an uproar Finally, to prevent mutiny, Hook suggests the boys be sent below into the cabins to save the Pirates. Once Wendy and the boys are safe, Peter challenges Hook to a sword fight which ensues over the whole ship. Hook, rather than being defeated, disappears for a moment and reappears having set a bomb. The Pirates leap overboard to save themselves, Peter finds the bomb and throws it overboard and the crocodile appears to chase Hook off the ship.

Scene Two: Path Through the Woods

This short scene shows the joyous Lost Boys and Indians, who have the captured Pirates. Peter is hailed as the hero and everything is right.

Scene Three: Home of the Darling Family

Mr. and Mrs. Darling have been waiting sadly for their children to return, which they now do, with all the Lost Boys in tow. The boys agree to respect the Darlings and the Darlings agree to adopt all of them.

Scene Four: Home of the Darling Family

It is many years later and Peter Pan comes to the window. He sees Wendy and can't believe she's all grown up. Wendy's daughter, Jane, is just the age Wendy was when she went to Neverland and now Jane wants to go. Though Wendy tries to stop her, Jane and Peter fly through the window as the curtain falls.

I was thrilled when we decided last year to produce this show. Among the most theatrical of all musicals, this is the endearing and enduring tale of the boy who won't grow up. Peter Pan, who ran away the day he was born because he overheard his parents making plans for his life, lives a nonstop adventure in Neverland where he battles pirates, fights Indians and lives in an underground cave among ragtag lost boys and fairies.

Director's Notes

The author; Sir James M. Barrie, famed Scottish journalist, playwright and novelist started life as the ninth of ten children. It is said that after the death of his brother; David, young James tried to gain his mother's affection by dressing in the dead boy's clothes. Though Barrie was married to actress Mary Ansell from 1894 to 1909, it was a long friendship formed between Barrie and Mrs. Sylvia Davies that meant most to Barrie. The tale of Peter Pan gradually evolved from the stories Barrie told to her five sons. When she and her husband died, Barrie became the guardian of her boys. Only about five feet tall himself, Barrie was considered at the time by the new Freudians as a suitable target for analysis.

Barrie first wrote of Peter Pan in 1902 in a novel entitled The Little White Bird. The book contained six chapters about Peter that were later extracted and published as Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. But it was the stage play, PETER FAN OR THE BOY WHO WOULD NOT GROW UP, opening in London in 1904, that captured the public's imagination and earned both PETER PAN and J.M. Barrie a permanent place in English literature. The novel actually was written several years following the premiere of the stage play and originally was entitled Peter and Wendy.

The popularity of the story has endured over the years and many well-known actors have lent their talents to the many versions of the play. Maude Adams played Peter in the original American production the same year the play opened in London. After many revivals of the play, in 1950 Leonard Bernstein turned the play into a Broadway musical starring Jean Arthur as Peter Pan and Boris Karloff as Captain Hook. Then in 1954 Mary Martin played Peter in the same musical version. It was scheduled to run only 16 weeks in New York and every performance was sold out before the show ever opened! This was the version that NBC broadcast in 1955 as a television special, and again in 1956 by popular demand. During rehearsals for the telecast, Mary Martin crashed into a wall while "flying." At the time Martin was starring on Broadway in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, where she had to perform for a week wearing a cast.

A new musical version starred Mia Farrow and Danny Kaye on television in 1977 and Sandy Duncan started a career as Peter Pan on Broadway in 1979. Currently, former Olympic champion Cathy Rigby is receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences all over the country in the role of Peter; after a Tony Award-winning run on Broadway in 1991.

I know our audiences also will love our Peter; frequent Civic Theatre choreographer; Anthony Award-winning actress and singer and former gymnast, Abigail Ehinger Most recently seen on the Civic stage as Miss Adelaide in GUYS AND DOLLS, Abby has wanted to play Peter since she was a little girl. And I cannot imagine someone more perfect for the role.

Nor can I imagine a more perfect production to lead off the Civic Theatre's first show of 1999. Thank you so much for continuing to be a part of what we do here at the Civic. We couldn't do it without you, nor would we want to. Thank you for being here today. I look forward to seeing you here for the rest of this wonderful 70 anniversary season, too!

CAST

Abigail Ehinger (Peter Pan) is an Anthony Award winner who last was seen as Miss Adelaide in GUYSAND DOLLS. She has had leading roles in numerous musicals and has extensive experience as a choreographer Playing Peter Pan is her "dream-come-true." Abigail works for Vera Bradley Designs and wishes to thank them for their great support. And to Cathy Rigby, "You've been such a wonderful inspiration. Thanks for sharing your fairy dust!"

Christopher J. Murphy (Captain Hook) last was seen as King Pellinore in Civic's production of CAMELOT and prior to that appeared as Jacob/Potiphar in JOSEPH '96. At Arena Dinner Theatre he has appeared in SHE LOVES ME, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE and MY THREE ANGELS and directed the local debut of MOON OVER BUFFALO. Last year he also received Arena's awards for best actor in a minor role and best supporting actor

Emilie Henry (Wendy Darling) has been very active in Fort Wayne Youtheatre, appearing in THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, WINNIE THE POOH, BEANSTALK and CINDERELLA. She would like to thank her family and friends, especially her parents, for all of their prayers, love and mileage. She also would like to thank Harvey Cocks and Ben Wiseman for their continued guidance and support.

Bill Shewman (Smee) has been away from the theatre for entirely too long in his estimation and is thrilled to once again be treading the boards. Vice president of Garland's Art Galleries, he has won numerous awards at I.S.T.A. competitions while representing theatres in Peru, Indiana, and has directed a number of musicals as well. Bill, welcome back to the theatre!

Brett Hunter (John Darling) is a member of the award-winning show choir Class Act at Woodside Middle School and is making his Civic Theatre debut. He is an active member of the Aboite Lutheran Church drama group and has appeared in THE WIZARD OF OZ and THE BEST OF DiSNEY for SWAC Summer Musical Theatre. Brett has also been chosen as student ambassador for the People to People program and will travel to Europe this summer.

Nathan Jackson (Michael Darling) of Ossian is excited to be making his Civic Theatre debut after appearing in FREE TO BE YOU AND ME in Decatur last summer He would like to thank Ray Casey and his siblings, Andrea, Justin and Valerie, for blazing the Jackson trail in theatre and Lynn Dettmer; Jay Wagner; Dale Gallmeyer and the Poe Fire Department for blazing a trail through the recent blizzard.

Todd Dillon (Mr. Darling) is the president of Garland Art Galleries and last was seen on the Civic Theatre stage as King Arthur in CAMELOT. Prior to that he played Nathan Detroit in GUYS AND DOLLS. In 1997 he received an Anthony Award for his work in THE SECRET GARDEN. Todd would like to thank God for the opportunity to play such a wonderful role, but mostly for the best wife and kids in the world.

Janet K. Piercy (Mrs. Darling/Grown Up Wendy) would like to thank her sister; Margaret Ankenbruck, for introducing her to theatre, an avocation that has lasted many, many years. "She took me to my first audition for MAME. We performed with Ann Colone at the Franke Park Outdoor Theatre when I was just a kid. Time flies and things change, but I'm still hooked."

Nan Durant (Nana) loves doing character roles and last was seen as the elderly grandmother in THE CHILDREN'S HOUR at the Civic as well as Helen Keller's aunt in THE MIRACLE WORKER. She thanks Beemer for all of the inspiration for the role of Nana.

Geoff Durant (Crocodile) loves performing and has appeared in many local productions including THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and JOSEPH '94 at Civic and GYPSY at Purdue-Indiana Theatre. Geoff also enjoys working backstage and writing short stories and poetry.

Jennifer Poiry (Liza) last was seen as Nimue/ Lady Anne in CAMELOT at the Civic Theatre and recently appeared as Agnes in AGNES OF GOD at First Presbyterian Theatre. A full-time music and theatre student, she will sing the roles of Manon and Musetta in scenes from MANON and LA BOHEME in the IPFW Opera Ensemble presentation of FIRST IMPRESSIONS, SECOND THOUGHTS in March.

Elizabeth A. Wagar (Tiger Lily/Dance Captain) last was seen on the Civic Theatre stage in OKLAHOMA!, JOSEPH '94 and BRIGADOON. She is a senior at IPFW, studying theatre and looking forward to graduation next December. She has worked backstage for a number of shows and will be portraying the Girl in HOT L BALTIMORE for her senior project this spring.

Erin Scott (Jane) last was seen in THE CHILDREN'S HOUR at the Civic and is an eighth grader at Blackhawk Christian High School. She would like to thank her family for their love and the Lord for giving her these wonderful opportunities.

Addison Dillon (Twin Two) is making his theatrical debut at the Civic Theatre and is a fourth grader at Weisser Park Magnet School. He has been raised in a theatrical family and is very excited to be in his first show with his father

Jon Durant (Tickle) has appeared in a number of school and local productions including MAME and NO, NO, NANETTE at Memorial Park and ANNIE at Grey Lite. He was a member of the award-winning Shades of Friendship show choir at Ward. Jon also plays the clarinet and tenor sax in the school band and loves to play soccer

Aaron B. Dicker (Twin One) is a fifth grader at Irwin Elementary School and is making his Civic Theatre debut. He not only plays a twin on stage, but is one in real life. He would like to thank his mother and father for transportation and his brother and sister for their help and support.

Adam Bowman (Nibs) is a sixth grader at Memorial Park Middle School and he loves playing football, soccer and basketball, but acting is the best! He likes to be the class clown and someday hopes to be a movie star and a famous comedian.

Caleb Franklin (Slightly) has appeared in A CHRISTMAS CAROL and THE KING AND I for the Civic Theatre. Having worked under the direction of both his father and mother; Caleb's favorite director is Fort Wayne Youtheatre's Harvey Cocks. Caleb has enjoyed working with his brother, fellow red-head Jacob.

Andrew C. Shade (Tootles) is making his Civic Theatre debut but is no stranger to theatre. A sixth grader at Memorial Park, he has appeared as Ito in AUNTIE MAME and as Michael in PETER PAN at South Side High School. He would like to thank his family and Mr. Miller for their support.

David Phillips (Shorty) is an eighth grader at Holy Cross Lutheran School, where he edits the school newspaper and is a member of the school choir He is appearing in his second Civic Theatre production. He recently appeared in A CHRISTMAS CAROL as a caroler

Alec Hendon (John Boy) or "Big Al" as his family affectionately calls him, is an amateur singer and a very amateur dancer in the sixth grade at Summit Middle School. He loves to perform in musicals and one of his favorite roles has been Prince Charming in CINDERELLA at Haverhill.

Jacob Franklin (Curley) is making his third Civic Theatre appearance and recently completed his favorite role as Ralph Herdman in THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER for Youtheatre. Jacob considers it an honor to be working with his father; Civic Theatre director Al Franklin, and his brother; fellow red-head Caleb.

Deontre A. Martin (Bill Jukes) is a junior at Paul Harding High School where he has appeared in their productions of GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY, RUMORS, GREASE and THE DINING ROOM. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support. He is making his Civic Theatre debut.

James Anderson (Bones) is appearing in his second Civic Theatre production, having recently concluded work on THE WIZ. He also has appeared in DAMN YANKEES, MUSIC MAN and DAVID AND LISA at Memorial Park. He would like to thank his family for their support and Gordon Crawford, a great person to look up to!

David Mitsch (Stretch) is a junior at Bishop Dwenger High School and has appeared in a number of productions there, including A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, NO, NO, NANETTE, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. At the Civic he has appeared in CAMELOT and THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. He would like to thank his family, friends and his angel, Nicole.

Tony McCarroll (Starkey) is appearing in his fourth production at the Civic Theatre in less than two years. "To participate in something that gives so much back to the community is an honor and a blessing," Tony reflected. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support.

Joel D. Scribner (Cecco) currently is working to finish his teaching degree at IPFW, after finding his previous work unfulfilling. A Civic Theatre veteran, he has appeared in GUYS AND DOLLS, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and THE ILLUSION, among so many! He would like to dedicate this show to his children, "Remember my loves, you too can fly."

Scott E. Nedberg (Mullins, the Boatswain) averages two to three shows a year at the Civic Theatre, playing a variety of roles including doctors, sergeants, lieutenants, nephews and boatswains. He claims that all that he is he owes to his fiance Jennifer Poiry. She is his everything. Oh yeah, Al Franklin is nice to work with, too.

Maurice Allen Turner (Noodler; not pictured) last was seen on the Civic Theatre stage in THE WIZ and has returned to PETER PAN in a cool and cruel role, one of the pirates. He does send out one warning to the audience! Beware - he intends to make you have a lot of fun!

Lindsey Weisenauer (Indian) is a senior at Leo High School and is making her Civic Theatre debut. She has performed in SOUTH PACIFIC at Leo High School and MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS at Arena. She would like to thank her family for all of their love and support.

Emily Young (Indian) is an eighth grader at Memorial Park Middle School and is making her Civic Theatre debut. She has appeared in MAME, NO, NO, NANEflE and ANNIE, GET YOUR GUN at Memorial Park. She would like to thank her family for their endless support.

Malcolm D. Walker (Great Big Little Panther) is no stranger to the Civic Theatre stage. He recently controlled the shots in THE WIZ as the Wiz. Malcolm also has appeared in the KING AND I, THE SECRET GARDEN and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at the Civic. He is pumped up and ready to dance with Peter and the Indians.

Joshua L. Richey (Indian) last was seen on the Civic Theatre stage in BRIGADOON. His other Civic credits include BARNUM as a dancer/trapeze artist and t MUSIC MAN. He would like to thank Ani DiFranco for all her love and support. Josh, welcome back!

Molly Alberda (Indian) a senior at Lakewood Park Christian School. She has been dancing since she was two years old and acting since she was six, when she starred in ANNIE at Bay City Performing Arts. Most recently she has appeared in THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER at Youtheatre.

Ron Hankey (Indian) is sophomore at Snider and is making his Civic Theatre debut. He has performed in DAMN YANKEES, THE MUSIC MAN and ANYTHING GOES at Memorial Park and OKLAHOMA! and KISS ME KATE at Snider. Ron would like to thank everyone he knows for their support.

Grace Bender (Indian) is making her Civic Theatre debut. She is a seventh grader at Good News Christian School and has appeared in THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER and THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE at Youtheatre.

Eunice Wadewitz (Musical Director) again finds herself in the midst of another busy season as the music director for Civic's CAMELOT, THE WIZ, PETER PAN and BEEHIVE. Eunice has been involved in more than 30 shows at the Civic Theatre and has enjoyed being the resident music director for the past three seasons. She also works for the Civic as an office assistant and sales associate in the box office.

Gary Lanier (Choreographer) is an associate faculty member of the theatre department at IPFW and has a number of acting and choreography credits to his name. He has been the associate choreographer for area productions of WEST SIDE STORY, JOSEPH '96, CHICAGO, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, DAMN YANKEES, CHORUS LINE and PIPPIN.

Bill Wunderlin (Stage Manager) is a retired grade school teacher who makes church banners for a hobby. He likes to travel and loves to work on musicals at the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre. To date, he has worked on more than 90 productions at this theatre. Bill, we don't say this often enough but, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Joyce Van Ry (Assistant Stage Manager) has so far this season been assistant stage manager for CAMELOT and stage manager for THE WIZ and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Joyce has worked backstage since 1984, first on the prop crew. When she retired from teaching in 1989, she became one of the Civic stage managers. Joyce, you're right up there!

Lyn Dillon (Rehearsal Pianist) has been with the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre since 1992 and has enjoyed every minute of it! She recently has taken on additional duties as one of our lobby managers in an attempt to fill every available spot on her calendar. Truly, her smiling face and love of the theatre is one of our greatest assets.

About the Author of PETER PAN

Sir James M. Barrie born in Scotland in 1860, first wrote PETER PAN as a novel titled The Little White Bird in 1902. There were six chapters about Peter that he later extracted and published as Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. As a play, PETER PAN: OR THE BOY WHO WOULD NOT GROW UP captured the public's imagination. The first production opened in London in 1904, and the same year Maude Adams gave a performance that was to become legendary in the American theatre. The 1950 Broadway revival starring Jean Arthur and Boris Karloff ran 321 performances. The current musical was created in 1954.

James Barrie left the copyright of PETER PAN to the Hospital for Sick Children at Great Ormond Street in London, and thousands of children have benefited from his gift in the years since his death. The producers are proud and happy that everyone who has bought a ticket for today's performance is helping a sick child get well.

'Peter Pan' star flying high in dream role

Off to Never-Never Land

By WILLIAM CARLTON of The News@Sentinel

It was a challenge Peter Pan wouldn't refuse: prove one's courage to playmates by walking across a rickety, swaying bridge high over a treacherous river. Tomboy pride wouldn't allow young Abigail Ehinger to back down. She wobbled and weaved her way to safety on the other side.

No wonder she's playing the title role of the adventurous, flighty boy who won't grow up in "Peter Pan," the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre production that opens Friday.

"I'm a risk-taker," says the slim, blond, sparkling-eyed performer. "I can't wait to get strapped in the stage harness and fly around."

When Ehinger was a kid, she had plenty of girlfriends at school. "But the kids my age in the neighborhood were all boys," she says. "I played every game with them, climbed every tree, did handstands on skateboards. The craziest thing I remember doing was going over the swinging bridge in Foster Park. It was dangerous, but I wasn't afraid of anything. I made it across."

Needless to add, stage fright never prevented her from trying out for a theater show. Ehinger, 34, started performing in junior high school, playing the lead role of Maria in "The Sound of Music."

In many more musicals to come at Bishop Luers High School, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and the Civic Theatre, Ehinger developed into a multi-talented artist who could act, sing, dance and choreograph with professional aplomb. She became especially in demand as a choreographer and Bob Fosse-style jazz dancer with long, lean lines and a magnetic stage presence.

At last count, Ehinger has performed in or choreographed 70 shows at local theaters or schools, nearly all musicals. Her most recent distinctions include the Civic Theatre's Anthony Awards for her roles in two musicals -- Miss Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls," a show she also choreographed, and Miss Anna in "The King and I."

As much as she loves those roles, Ehinger thinks Peter Pan is the part she was born to play. She's too young to remember when Mary Martin flew off with Broadway's heart in the 1954 hit production of "Peter Pan."

The musical is based on James Barrie's famous character from his 1902 novel "The Little White Bird." Peter ran away from home the day he was born because he overheard his parents making plans for his life. He lives a life of perpetual boyhood in Never Land, battling pirates, living in a cave among ragtag lost boys and a fairy friend named Tinkerbell, and encouraging other kids to let their imaginations fly with him.

Ehinger does remember when Mia Farrow revived the role for a 1977 TV special with Danny Kaye as Captain Hook. Two years later, however, Ehinger was totally smitten by Sandy Duncan, the perky pixie who made a career playing the part on Broadway.

Ehinger even looks like Duncan. "I know, I know," she laughs. "In grade school they used to call me Sandy."

Ehinger also is a big fan of Cathy Rigby, the former gymnastics star who gave a Tony Award-winning performance as Peter Pan on Broadway in 1991. Rigby has been starring in touring productions ever since.

"I've seen Cathy's show seven times," Ehinger says. "She flies clear over the audience. Whenever I see an ad for the show anywhere near here, I jump in my car and go. I've written to her a few times, saying how much I enjoyed her role and the show, and she's written me back. In my next letter I'll tell her I'm playing Peter Pan, too."

Ehinger thought she might get the part in 1992, when the Civic Theatre did "Peter Pan." "My bubble was burst when I didn't get it," she says. "I played Tiger Lily instead. The director (Michael Mitchell) wanted to cast a male (Darren Lee Harrison). The part is usually played by a girl because the score is written for a soprano. Some of the notes are so high that Darren had to lip-sync them." With Peter Pan-ish swagger she adds, "I won't."

While the score gives Ehinger a chance to show off her trained voice, she does have to work on developing boyish mannerisms like walking pigeon-toed and slouched over. It helps to have a lot of boys in the cast, she says.

"I've been observing the way they goof around and pinch each other."

The role also requires a lot of physical energy and endurance. "I've been working out a lot," she says, rolling up a shirt sleeve and flexing her pumped-up biceps.

When she soars on stage with those lucky Darling kids (Wendy, Michael and John) and lands in Never Land, Ehinger hopes to figuratively see the whole audience flying right alongside: "The most fun for me is to touch people with my performance. I want to take everybody back to their own childhood, to a time of magic and a land of make-believe."

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