Peter Pan comes to Nevada City

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY of the stage debut of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan in London. From July 10-August 2, Sierra Stages is presenting the original version of the famous play at the Nevada Theatre in Nevada City.

It will be a treat for theater-goers of all ages. The play is now rarely performed in its original form, having been surpassed in popularity by 1954 musical version.

“Ignite your imagination and rediscover one of the great adventures of all time, a spectacular journey into the world of childhood that will capture the hearts and imaginations of all ages,” says Peter Mason, production director of Sierra Stages.

A strange visitor arrives through the Darling children’s nursery window and whisks Wendy, Michael and John away to a magical land in this legendary adventure of pirates, fairies and fantasy.

Peter Pan first appeared in several chapters of The Little White Bird, a 1902 novel written by J.M. Barrie for adults.

The character’s best-known adventure debuted on December 27, 1904, at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London, as the stage play called Peter Pan or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up. The rule of Peter was actually played by a female acress named Nina Boucicault.

“Though the play is written very much in the key of The Little White Bird, there is no essential connection between the two,” the Manchester Guardian wrote in a review on December 28, 1904. “It is absolutely original, the product of a unique imagination.”

The play has since seen adaption as a pantomime, stage musical, television special and several films, including a 1953 animated Disney full-length feature.

Earlier this year, NBC announced it will bring back Peter Pan as live musical theater on television for the holiday viewing season on December 4. “Get ready for flying children and some state-of-the-art light technology for Tinkerbell,” says NBC’s Entertainment chairman.

For more information, visit SierraStages.org.