11/20/08

They can fly!

Arlington students hit the heights in school's production of "Peter Pan"

by Beckye Randall

The audience at the Byrnes Center for the Performing Arts gasped and clapped as AHS junior Justin Goheen took flight in the Darlings’ nursery during last weekend’s performance of “Peter Pan.”

The show continues this weekend, with shows at 7 p.m. Friday, November 21 and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Goheen, who plays the title role, is one of six students who are rigged to fly in the production. All the work is really done behind the curtain by stagehands wielding an intricate set of ropes and pulleys.

The flying apparatus was designed and set up by a national company, Foy Inventerprises, that has trademarked “Flying by Foy” for theatrical productions ranging from the original “Peter Pan” to “The Flying Nun,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Mary Poppins” and “The Wizard of Oz.”

AHS drama director Scott Moberly is excited to be able to stage the ambitious musical in the new performing arts center. Its overhead fly space allows the scenery to quickly be moved in and out while still having room for the actors’ flight needs.

“Peter Pan” was an expensive undertaking for a high school production, with $7,000 going to Foy. The overall budget was around $25,000. Contributions from the Arlington Rotary Club, the local Chamber of Commerce and the Arlington Arts Council helped subsidize the production costs.

The investment was evident in the show’s impressive costumes, scenery and set design. The set design is credited to Mary Mitchell and Anya Petrick with costumes by Cally Johnson.

But the star of the show is no surprise. Goheen is a standout as Peter Pan, the boy who won’t grow up. Goheen brings a credible sense of childhood amazement and wonder to the role, not allowing the audience to forget for one moment that magic is in the air.

Erica Ewell is a formidable Captain Hook, all swagger and bellow, and her minions are adequately humbled by her presence.

Although the initial scene in the Darling nursery seems to drag a little, once Peter shows up the pace never slows. The youngsters sitting next to me Saturday evening were enthralled by the story and earnestly clapped for Tinkerbell’s recovery and Pan’s triumph over Hook.

No doubt about it: “Peter Pan” flies high in Arlington.