Peter Pan at Starlight Summer 2012
This morning my children could hardly concentrate to eat their breakfast as they sat at the table belting out, "I'm Flying!" As I sit here working on a review of Cathy Rigby's performance as Peter Pan at Starlight, my children are dressed as Tiger Lily, pirates, and Wendy. They are dancing and singing through the house as they enact their favorite scenes from last night's Opening Night production. And that, says it all!
When we take our children to see live theater it is our hope that they are not only entertained, but captivated to imagine, and in the case of Peter Pan, to play, to pretend, to dream. "I'm flying. Flying. Flying. Flying!" In fact, it started during the show. The girls were patting their legs during Uga Wug, they were twirling and flying around during intermission, and other children were just as captivated. On the way to the car, one little girl said, "Oh, mom. It was EVEN better than I ever dreamt it could be. It was so magical! Thank you for bringing me."
Watching as the children relished the story, I remembered my own childhood when Peter Pan appeared on Starlight's stage... it is the very first live show I remember watching. I remember the excitement and awe of the flight, the fun of the musical numbers and the magic of it all. The reaction of last night's audience was terrific... the magic is still there!
Peter Pan, our beloved character of story, film, and stage, challenges the notion that children should ever grow up. And while inevitably, children do grow up, it is great fun to celebrate the adventure and fun of childhood with mermaids, pirates, fairies, and wigwams.
Peter Pan
- July 24 - 29 at 8 p.m. Buy Tickets online
- Starlight Theatre. Driving directions to Starlight Theatre and Parking Information for Starlight.
I won't grow up,I don't want to go to school.Just to learn to be a parrot,And recite a silly rule.If growing up meansIt would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree,I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow upNot me!Not I,Not me!Not me!
In 1954, Peter Pan, debuted on Broadway with Mary Martin in the lead role. Her performance, as shown on occasion on PBS, is the one I know best. Cathy Rigby takes on the role brilliantly, and her experience as an Olympic Gold Medalist in gymnastics is evident in the stunts and flying as she twirls, spins, and does somersaults over the crowds. The show is as timeless and special now as it was then.
Cathy Rigby plays Peter Pan as the little boy who won't grow up and sometimes is tactless and misguided without the love of a mother. He magically appears in the nursery window of Wendy, Michael and John Darling in search of his missing shadow. With a sprinkling of pixie dust, Peter and teaches his new friends to fly as he leads them through London to Never-Never Land, where he wants Wendy to be his mother. There they meet the Lost Boys (other children Pan brought to Never-Never Land over the years), Tiger Lily and her tribe (Native Americans who have befriended Pan and work together against the villains), and Peter's arch enemy the dastardly, most villainous villain of all, Captain Hook.
We were delighted with the fun music, fast-paced scenes, and humor. The sets were aboslutely outstanding and the entire cast did a wonderful job with impressive dance and action sequences throughout.
Not wanting to spoil any of the magic of the evening, it is important that parents, who may be tempted to leave early to find their cars, know that the BEST and MOST MAGICAL moment of the entire show comes during Peter's curtain call! You do not want to miss this! It was, without a doubt, the ultimate highlight of the entire evening.
BONUS Pre-Show Treasure Hunt:
Arrive early for Peter Pan's Treasure Hunt! Starlight invites all families to arrive early for the show and join in the fun of the nightly "Peter Pan's Treasure Hunt." This pre-show family event begins at 6 pm and features fun, free activities! Our children enjoyed a moon bounce, having finger nails painted, crafts, dancing demonstrations, sword fights, photos with Tinker Bell, games and BURIED TREASURE! (Tip: Some of the pirate loot gift bags in the treasure chest include Sheridan's gift cards.)
Tips:
- Keep Hydrated and cool: You may bring 1 sealed bottle of water per guest into the theatre. Complimentary water stations are located at the North and East Guest Relations. Water misters are placed throughout the theatre for guest convenience. And, Starlight has drinking fountains throughout the theatre. You may also want to bring a fan too keep cool.
- Determining if your Child should see the show: From Starlight,"Absolutely! Positively! It’s great for kids – and for adults who don’t want to grow up! Peter Pan is a Broadway classic that appeals to audiences of all ages. It is the definitive family musical and an ideal show to introduce young audiences to musical theatre." The show begins at 8pm and runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes and one 20 minute Intermission.
- Booster seats: A limited supply of complimentary booster seats is available at our Ovation gift store. Please drop your booster seat off at any gate, Guest relations table or return it to the Ovation gift store after the show.
- Preshow Tours: Arrive early and get a free, behind-the-scenes look at Starlight and learn about Starlight’s rich history in Kansas City. Tours begin before each performance at three convenient times: 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Patrons interested in touring Starlight Theatre should report to the top of the theatre behind Terrace Section 1 to begin their facility tours.
- Interpreted Performances: Saturday performances at Starlight Theatre are described for the blind and visually impaired by Kansas Audio-Reader Network. Devices for this service are available at the Audio-Reader table behind Terrace Section 2. Sunday performances at Starlight Theatre are interpreted for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Two interpreters are positioned on stage, house right. Patrons can view the interpreters from sections 4 and 6 of the Orchestra and Plaza sections. Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons may purchase tickets by calling the Kansas Relay Center at 800.766.3777 or Relay Missouri at 800.735.2966.
- Assisted listening devices: Assisted listening devices are available free of charge for every performance. Visit the Ovation gift store and leave your driver's license in exchange for one of the listening devices. Following the performance, please return the device to the store and pick up your ID.
- Courtesy shuttles: This summer six-passenger shuttles patrol the main parking areas, providing assistance for those who most need it.
- Wheelchair assistance: Wheelchair assistance is available from all gates to the guest's seating location and back to the gate point after the show.
- Emergencies: An EMT is on Starlight premises for all events and can be reached by radio through any of the contacts noted above.
- Preshow Dining: A delicious dinner buffet is offered before the show. Learn more about preshow dining.