(Seguin) — Local youth are soaring into Neverland this summer. Camp Broadway returns to the Texas Theatre this weekend for its 13th year and a full production of Peter Pan Jr. The theater camp, which brings together students from kindergarten through high school has been working hard both on stage and behind the scenes.
Longtime director Sheila Lucas says the concept behind the program is to not only fuel passion for theatre but to grow future leaders.
“We started out with, a very small show, and high school kids were in it, and the younger kids were little, –they had tiny parts singing and dancing with the big kids. Then we turned it into, where no big kids are in it. The big kids are counselors. So, it’s very gratifying to watch them start that young and go all the way through and then train up the next group of young actors. And it’s a lot of fun. They have a blast. They work hard. They play hard. And then in two weeks’ time, we perform a full musical,” said Lucas.
Lucas says this year’s production is the timeless Broadway classic first written in 1902. She says the show tells the story of a boy who never grows up and the magical world of Neverland — home to lost boys, pirates, fairies, and brave girls.
“This is about him coming and finding a girl named Wendy who he takes back to Neverland. She and her two brothers fly. They get to fly with Peter Pan back to Never, Neverland. And then, they decide they don’t want to stay there. They’re homesick. So, they try to get back to their homes, and Wendy takes them all back to London, and they live with her family. So that’s the very end. They all get adopted by the darling family,” said Lucas.
She says the camp’s production remains true to the original Broadway script, including elements that reflect the period it was written in. That includes the portrayal of Native American characters — now referred to as “Brave Girls” in this version.
“Weunderstand that in 1902, things were very different, and the Native Americans weren’t so highly thought of and that’s just the way they were portrayed in this romantic era of literature. We in no way mean to disrespect indigenous people. It’s a story for all ages. There’s something for everyone. It’s a love story. It’s a tragedy. It’s a comedy. But it’s all fairyland,” said Lucas.
Lucas says the performance also keeps to one unique detail from the Broadway version: the character of Tinkerbell is represented only by a light, never seen by the audience.
“There is there is the villain, there’s the heroes. They learn about good and bad, good versus evil. They learn about all people can get along. In the end, everyone gets along. The bad guy is the bad guy.and he gets eaten by crocodiles. And the good guys survive. So, it’s all in good fun. It’s a great story,” said Lucas.
Curtains for the show open this Friday at 7:30 p.m. Showtimes also include 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
To purchase tickets, visit TheTexas.org. The theatre is located at 425 N. Austin St.