Thomas Jefferson to bring 'Peter Pan' to life on stage

Editor’s note: Because of the coronavirus pandemic, West Jefferson Hills School District announced that “Peter Pan” has been postponed.

Thomas Jefferson students will soar to new heights this year, as “Peter Pan” takes flight on the high school stage March 19-21.

Inside the new TJ Theater roughly two weeks before the show, freshman Rachael Parsons spreads her arms and takes off into the air, while belting out the notes to the familiar tune, “I’m flying.”

Music fills the air as Parsons practices flying back and forth across the stage as the lead in the whimsical tale of a young boy who never grows up.

“I think they’re going to be mesmerized by some of the things that we’re going to be able to pull off this year,” said senior Kayla Delaney, 17, student director. “They’re going to be at the edge of their seats. It’s definitely a fun show.”

This is the first time in several years that TJ Theater has incorporated flying into a show. However, this year it’s different with the capabilities of the new stage inside the $95 million school that opened last August.

“The flying is just so cool. Everyone has been asking me and my friends about it,” said senior Camryn Lanning, 17, who plays Michael Darling. “It’s the first musical in the new auditorium, so obviously it’s going to be big.”

The new auditorium offers a much different setting from TJ Theater of old.

“The acoustics, the seating, the space on stage, the space out in the audience. There are countless differences,” said senior Angie Danen, 18, who plays Nibs, a lost boy.

No matter where you sit, you’re going to get a good view, said senior Delaney Metikosh, 18, who plays Tiger Lilley. “There’s not a bad seat in here,” she said.

Even the sound will impress.

“To quote (high school Principal Pete) Murphy: It has Metallica’s sound system that they use when they go on tour,” Kayla said. “It’s state-of-the-art.”

The show features 64 cast members, four student directors, 34 students in the pit and more than 40 parents helping out behind the scenes with sets and flying.

Director Sandy Barker said she picked “Peter Pan” because of its ability to showcase students’ talents.

There’s a learning curve in the new auditorium. With catwalks above and high ceilings on the large stage, flying is much different.

“It’s our first time. I think the public will be pleased,” Barker said. “But we’re learning.”

The show will take the audience on a journey to Neverland.

“It’s uplifting,” Barker said of the show. “The themes of this are: The ability to be loved and have friends and to have that perfect place and dreams do come true. All of those things that are wonderful (to be reminded of) in today’s time. And the reality — guess what, we do grow up.”

The show will be a bit different than what audiences are used to.

“We tried to adapt it to the native times,” Barker said. “We’re not Indians, we’re native people.”

Cast members said the show will appeal to everyone, especially little kids.

“It’s definitely a family-friendly show,” Delaney said.

And while there are a lot of firsts, for this year’s seniors, it’s also their last show as a part of TJ Theater.

That hits home with them. They want to make it the best show ever, not just because it’s the first in the new auditorium, they said, but also because it’s their final show.

“I think, personally, this is the biggest show that we’ve actually done in our four years,” Angie said.