FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 5/18/09
Morgan Arts Council • Berkeley Springs
www.macicehouse.org

press contact only: Margi Griffiths -- 304-258-9415

PHOTOS AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING star@starwv.com


tinkerbell

PETER PAN SOARS ONSTAGE IN BERKELEY SPRINGS

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- Four Tinker Bells and two Michaels share the
stage with more than 50 other community members in an alluring
production of J.M. Barrie's original stage play, "Peter Pan" for two
weekends in Berkeley Springs. Opening on Friday, May 29 at 7:30pm,
"Peter Pan" is a joint production of the Ice House Theater Project and
the Berkeley Springs High School Theater. It is directed by Margi
Griffiths. Additional shows are at 7:30pm on Saturdays, May 30 and
June 6 as well as Friday, June 5. There are 3pm matinees on Sundays,
May 31 and June 7 as well as a pay-what-you-can performance at 7pm on
Thursday, June 4. All shows are on stage at the Berkeley Springs High
School Connie Perry Auditorium.

Griffiths admits her casting of the play is somewhat unusual. "Tinker
Bell is often a special effect, played by a light. I decided to go
with children since they can express emotion that a light cannot."
Griffiths cast four to compensate for their age -- the youngest is
barely four years old -- and explains that each brings a different
element to the play. For family and fans, the list of who plays
Tinker Bell in each show is posted on the Morgan Arts Council's
website: www.macicehouse.org.

The show is expected to be a popular one with audiences. "It's a
multi-generational cast ranging from four to over 70," says Griffiths,
"and they fill the stage with pirates, natives, fairies, lost boys,
sword battles and mayhem. Who can resist?" It is also a family
affair with three Newton children and father Tim, two Griffiths
children and father Dave, three Kesecker sisters including Nativa who
plays Peter, a pair of Hogbin sisters and three Godman siblings among
others.

"Peter Pan" is one of the best known stories in the world, made into
movies, musicals, book series, spin-offs and more. Barrie wrote the
play first in 1904 and later turned it into a full-length book. Walt
Disney turned it into a cartoon and Stephen Spielberg focused his
movie on Captain Hook who in the Berkeley Springs version is played to
the hilt by Gary McDaniel.

Griffiths has a few surprises in store for audiences. "Wait until you
see how we are flying Pan and the rest of the Darling kids, it's truly
fun," she says. "We laugh alot. We are hoping that the audience will
laugh along with us. It's a funny show."

The Ice House Theater Project is a part of the Morgan Arts Council.
Portals is sponsoring the production and has a limited number of
tickets for each show to give away. "We're inviting people to come
into the shop and get a pair of free tickets," said Portals owner Tom
Grinder. "We're excited to help spread both art and magic in Berkeley
Springs."

No reservations are needed for this show. Tickets are available at
the door and seating will be done at the time of ticket purchase. For
more information call 304-258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org.