ELLSWORTH – The audience will be transported to magical Neverland by Ellsworth Middle School drama students Feb. 22-25 in this year’s musical “Peter Pan Jr.”

“Peter and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbell, visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night and, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget,” said Director Isabelle Devereaux-Hanson. “In the adventure of a lifetime, the travelers come face to face with a ticking crocodile, the fierce Brave Girls, a band of bungling pirates and, of course, the villainous Captain Hook.”

Devereaux-Hanson and Assistant Director Danielle Lewis started looking into shows at the end of last year’s production and really liked the idea of Peter Pan.

“This is the kind of show that has so much whimsy and fantasy that makes it so much fun to perform,” Devereaux-Hanson said. “There are some tricky bits, but nothing we couldn’t handle!”

The students began rehearsals the last week of November. The timing of the show overlaps several sports, with so many phases of learning from songs to choreography to costumes, that Devereaux-Hanson wanted to get a head start.

“Auditions took place during the beginning of November and by Thanksgiving we had our cast!” she said. “We have been going strong every day after school since.

“At first, the kids are only needed a few days a week due to the custom schedules that I make. If a student has a larger part they are needed anywhere from 2-4 days per week. As the director, I am putting in anywhere from 10-13 hours per week working on everything, sometimes more. But it is all so worth it in the end.”

Closer to mid-January, the whole group gets together and rehearses about nine hours per week after school.

While directing a musical is rewarding, it comes with its challenges too. Devereaux-Hanson said the biggest is scheduling and finding time for everything.

“Coordinating 70+ kids is hard work when they have so many other things that they do in their life and in their families’ lives,” she said. “Then, there are so many things that people don’t think about when you run a show, like who’s going to run your lighting, making posters, advertising, communicating with families and coaches, or even finding help with hair and makeup.”

The rewarding part is seeing the kids bond over something they create,” she added.

“We make a new family during this time and you see kids that never would have talked to each other be good friends by the end,” Devereaux-Hanson said. “They care so much about each other and the show; that it is my absolute favorite part to see. Finally, it is seeing kids fall in love with performing. It warms my heart, and I get so excited to watch them continue in that journey.”

Devereaux-Hanson promises several standout moments in the production, such as the entrance scene (something they’ve never done before) and helping the characters fly.

“As long as the pixie dust is strong enough!” she joked.

Each year, Devereaux-Hanson keeps a quote book for funny things that happen during rehearsals. She compiles quotes and photos into a slideshow that plays before the actors take the stage.

“There are always ridiculous things that happen during our rehearsals,” she laughed. “The most notable thing this year was our practice days when we were learning lifts for our flying scene. We rolled out mats and practiced in some weird ways to feel comfortable singing in awkward lifts, and there were lots of laughs that day.”

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22; 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23; 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24; and 2 p.m Sunday, Feb. 25 at the Ellsworth High School Auditorium (323 W. Hillcrest St.) Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and children 5 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at https://gofan.co/app/school/WI19699, at the doors, or at the EMS office. Doors will open 45 minutes before each showtime.

Cast

Peter Pan – Knox Hines

Wendy – Kensie Matzek

John – Graham Bierbrauer

Michael – Ben Boyle

Liza – Lydia Selzler

Nana – Anna Puhrmann

Mrs. Darling – Maye Petersen

Mr. Darling – Chase Unser

Tinkerbell – Viola Schmidt

Nibs – Ashton Borner

Slightly – Cora Peterson

Curley – Levi Tomlinson

Twin #1 – Kadyn Helgeson

Tootles – Oskar LaFave

Captain Hook – Noah Windsor

Smee – Jens Christensen

Noodler – Carter Lampman

Jukes – Gretta Rewolinski

Starkey – Evan Ladwig

Ceceo – Cecilia Kleeves

Tiger Lily – Ani Whelan

Small Brave Girl – Arie Christensen

Brave Girl #1 – Lily Hanson

Brave Girl #2 – Nora Christopherson

Crocodile – Max Mandelkow

Lost Boys – Carter Hanson, Ben Helseth, Addy Knutson, Luke Lundstrom, Emmie Pechacek and Mya Ruka

Brave Girls – Ameila Dopp, Megan Peterson, Naomi Mbugua, Grace Turvaville, Maikou Vang and Sophia Wilson

Pirates – Maddi Constant, Laylah Cook, Leah Diercks, Blakely Lucente, Nevaeh Peters, Livia Schladweiler and Melanie Seeger

Dance – Bella Blue, Addy Dodge, Aubrey Faber, Reese Franklin, Peyton Frion and Isabelle Swanson

Set crew

Xavier Place, Tyler Griffith, June Feuerhelm, Ezra Borner, Natalie Kirchner, Maddie Meier, Brielle O’Neil, Ellie Holst, Ragan Beck, Anna Oleson, Taylor Bierbrauer, Benjamin Thein, Saige Schultz, Miles Petersen