The boy who refused to grow up will fly into Santa Barbara’s
Lobero Theatre in a musical composed by Leonard Bernstein nearly 60 years ago.
“Peter Pan” will play at the Lobero Dec. 17 – 28, in a
revival of Bernstein’s musical, enhanced with two songs not heard in the
original Broadway production in the early 1950s.
Ellen Pasternack, managing director of the Santa Barbara Theatre,
said the company is elated at finally being able to present the “lost” musical.
“Our quest to unearth the rights took a year and a half and a trip
to London,” Pasternack said. “In 2005, I discovered that the Bernstein estate
had just released the ‘lost’ Peter Pan score, which hadn’t been available for
over 50 years, on CD.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring Leonard Bernstein’s complete
production to Santa Barbara, the first time since it was staged on Broadway in
the 1950s,” Pasternack said. “Peter Pan” will play Dec. 19 – 28, with two
low-priced previews Dec. 17 and 18.
The live orchestra will be conducted by Alexander Frey, who worked
with the Bernstein heirs on the arrangement for the CD.
When Frey heard that Santa Barbara Theatre was planning the
production, he called from Europe to ask if he could conduct it, according to
Pasternack.
“It didn’t take us long to say ‘Yes,’” she said.
Artistic director Albert Ihde is directing the 14 performances at
the Lobero, and was equally enthusiastic about Bernstein’s neglected work.
“This version of ‘Peter Pan’ was the first professional play I
ever saw and it hooked me on theater for life,” Ihde said. “Many critics have
said that it’s the best ‘Peter Pan’ ever to appear on Broadway.”
The cast is headed by Corina Boettger as Peter Pan and Sarah
Bierstock as Wendy, with Robert Yacko playing Captain Hook and Carolyn Hennesy
as Mrs. Darling.
The company Flying by Foy will enable Peter and Wendy to fly, and
the cast is composed of Actors Equity performers. The production also features
custom-built sets and costumes.
There will be 14 performances of “Peter Pan,” with evening shows
at 7 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. Previews are Dec. 17 and 18, with tickets at
$30-$40.
A gala opening night party is scheduled for Dec. 19, and tickets
are $45 to $70, with a $32.50 ticket for children ages 5 to 18.
Priority seating is available for an additional $50 donation to
the Santa Barbara Theatre. Discounts are available for college students,
seniors and groups of 15 or more.
All tickets are available by calling the Lobero Theatre at (805)
963-0761 or online at www.sbtheatre.org.
Reach Margo
Kline at mkline@syvjournal.com.