Don’t Miss LU’s “Peter Pan”

Peter Pan (Bailey Shy) teaches the Darling children, John (Ben Chabot), Wendy (Heidi Chabot) and Michael (Mason Fisher) to fly. *Photo by AmyLynn*

Students from across the district join Liberty Union’s high-flying production of Peter Pan Jr.

March 13, 2023
Article by Rachel Scofield
Photos by AmyLynn

The world has had more than a hundred years of Peter Pan, and yet it has come to the Liberty Union High School stage at just the perfect time with the perfect cast and perfect crew and volunteers.

“Peter and the Lost Boys, Wendy, Michael and John are perpetually young children on the cusp of becoming adults,” said director Jill Henwood. “Many of our actors on stage are in this same season of their lives, as are my own children. While I’d love to keep them all in eternal childhood like Peter wants, they will soon fly away. I just hope that I’ve given them good enough ‘notes’ to help them grow up.”

There are 58 kids in the production, ranging in age from first graders to high school seniors. Seven students work as backstage crew members and two students manage the lighting.

This year, the school also added a fight instructor to teach hand-to-hand combat and sword fighting, and a flight director for our fly crew.

“We have two students and three parents operating our fly system,” Henwood said. “Mrs. Emily Fisher (director of choirs at LU) is the music director and producer. I am the theater director and choreographer. Valerie Brokaw (elementary/middle school choir director) is our assistant director. Nic Fisher is set master, Melissa Sponseller costumer and Ryan Westhoven and Brooke Schrader are prop masters.”

Henwood, like most people, was introduced to Peter Pan as a young child through the animated Disney film.

“In all honesty, the cartoon didn’t stand out to me,” Henwood said. “but I do remember watching the wire work of Cathy Rigby while sitting on the floor in front of our television when I was a child. I was a dancer and a gymnast, and watching Cathy fly and sing through the air was a whole new level of exciting. THAT was magical! THAT was awe inspiring. THAT was a goal in the making, but I have never flown on stage or (before two months ago) directed flyers on stage. As of this weekend, I can add another milestone to my resume.

Captain Hook (Drew Morris) and Smee (Jack Westhoven) inspire the pirates. *Photos by AmyLynn*

That being said, I have done very little in this milestone. I can’t thank Mrs. Emily Fisher enough for all of her work to make this happen. She and Nic Fisher spent many days and nights working on everything that needed to happen before the flying equipment arrived, and none of it was easy.”

The old phrase, “it takes a village” could not be more true with this production. In fact, this version has taken an entire school district.

“I’m overwhelmed at the breadth of work that has made Peter Pan possible,” Henwood said. “From the flying actors who literally took a leap of faith, to our full ensemble of actors, directing crew, backstage crew, flying crew, costuming crew, set building crew, technical crew, and the many kids and adults who have helped paint, craft, and create magic for this production.”

Peter Pan is a musical based on the play by Sir J.M. Barrie with music by Morris (Moose) Charlap and lyrics by Carolyn Leigh.

Showtimes are March 15 and 16 at 7:30 pm and March 17 at 2:30 pm at the Liberty Union Auditorium, 500 West Washington Street, Baltimore. Tickets may be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com or they will also be available at the door.