UWRF theatre to put on 'Peter/Wendy'

The UW-River Falls University Theatre will perform Jeremy Bloom’s whimsical tale of “Peter/Wendy” at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4-6 and 11-13 in the Blanche Davis Theatre in the Kleinpell Fine Arts building.

The story is similar to the classic tale of Peter Pan, but with a contemporary twist. The play focuses on Wendy Darling (Lauren Morris of River Falls) and her new friend Peter Pan (Danielle Formanek of Webster).

Wendy is taken to Neverland where children never grow up. The children of Neverland long for a mother and Wendy decides to take on the task. Meanwhile, an evil Captain Hook (KC Stowe of Minneapolis) and his right-hand man, Smee, (Kendra Yarke of East Bethel, Minnesota) are trying to get rid of the notorious Peter Pan.

The play has a consistent theme of “happy thoughts.” Director Sean Dooley, a Twin Cities actor, has embraced the theme using balloons as moving set pieces. The audience is forced to use their imaginations when watching the performance, similar to how children use their imaginations when playing.

Cast members include Anna Head of Hudson as Tinkerbell; Maddie Dooher of Osseo, Minnesota, as Tiger Lily; Vanessa Agnes of Forest Lake, Minnesota, as Mrs. Darling; Nathan Cameron of St. Paul as Mr. Darling; Danielle Bebus of Forest Lake, as Mermaid/Pirate; Emma Meyer of Marshall, Minnesota, as Mermaid/Lost Boy; Josh Gustafson of Minocqua as Lost Boy; and, Luke Murphy of Wauwatosa as Lost Boy. Nicholas Ambroz of Waseca, Minnesota, is stage manager and Lisa Miske of Anoka, Minnesota, is assistant stage manager.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for students. For more information, email kendra.yarke@my.uwrf.edu or call the UWRF Box Office at 715-425-3114.