Peter Pan Flies in Harrison High Musical Jan. 24-26

Neither snow days, nor a winter break fire or even a possible flu outbreak will keep the cast of Harrison High School's Peter Pan from opening the show this weekend. 

"We have a saying ... no matter what happens, 'We've been up against bigger challenges'," said director Dean Cobb. "This time, no." 

The cast lost six days of rehearsals to weather-related school closures, and a small fire the Friday before winter break kept them off the stage for more than a week before that. Last week, one of the cast members came down with the flu; another got sick after school on Wednesday.

But talk to the students, and you get the sense that no matter what, this show will go on. 

"I know everyone's really nervous," said senior Demi Schoenherr, 17, who plays the role of Captain Hook's sidekick Smee, "but it's somewhat exhilarating too." 

Some of the cast members have had more exhilaration than others; 10 students and a few adult volunteers are running a rigging system to "fly" Peter Pan and the three Darling children from James M. Barrie's classic tale. 

"It's really fun, but it's also kind of scary because you don't have control of anything," said senior Katie Dodd, 17, who plays Wendy Darling. 

Junior Kate Kreiss, 16, who plays Peter Pan, had a hard time coming up with words to describe the experience. "It's so much fun," she said. "There's a feeling of weightlessness. It's very freeing ... Any smiles you see are completely real." 

Primary cast members also include Ben Vento as Captain Hook, Zack Heger as John, Jordan Scrimger as Michael, Erin Smith as Tiger Lily, Emily Smith as Mrs.
Darling, Tessa Williams as Nana and Emily Washington as Liza.

See the smiles, pixie dust, pirates and more Jan. 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the door starting an hour before the performance, or by calling the box office, 248-426-5202. 

For an additional $2, you can purchase a wristband that says, "I helped Peter Pan fly". Plus, every child up to 12 years of age will have his or her ticket entered in a drawing for a Peter Pan Playset during each performance. Children dressed in costume will receive an additional chance to win.