The audience will bring the magic to William Woods University's production of "Peter and Wendy."
"Peter and Wendy" opens at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Dulany Auditorium. Melissa Alpers-Springer, director of the show, said she chose a minimalist staging to draw viewers in.
"I think it puts the imagination back in the audience's mind, because when the things aren't fully realized, they get to be part of the magic," she said. "Even though the actors aren't flying on strings, we still have the magic of the flying, because of the joy they have."
"Peter and Wendy" tells the familiar story of Peter Pan, a mischievous boy who never grows up. In Jeremy Bloom's adaptation, Peter lures Wendy away from her nursery to the magical world of Neverland. In this version, Wendy takes more of an active role, participating in adventures rather than merely becoming a surrogate mother for Peter and his boys, Alpers-Springer said.
She added this version pares down the Lost Boys to a single Lost Boy, and leaves out Wendy's siblings. "Peter and Wendy" focuses in on Wendy's own journey towards growing up. It also reduces the petty romantic rivalry between Wendy and Tinker Bell.
"There is a little bit of jealousy, but we wanted to keep it more like 10-year-old jealousy," she said.
That's important, because in her staging, the whole tale is told by children.
"We've made it just a bunch of 10-year-olds," Alpers-Springer explained. "One girl is telling them a story about Peter Pan. They're all in their pajamas. They put on various pieces to portray their characters."
So, while Captain Hook might don his captain's hat and eponymous hook, "You can always see the pajamas, and you can always see that it's just kids putting on the pieces to tell the story," Alpers-Springer added.
The play isn't without its flashy moments, however.
"We had an alumna, Laura Liebhart, come back to choreograph the fight between the pirates and Peter and the Lost Boy," she said.
There should be enough action to keep kids as young as 8 entertained, though younger children are welcome as well, she said.
The audience gets to participate in another way as well. Happy thoughts play a big role in the play: characters must think them in order to fly, Alpers-Springer said.
"Before the show starts, the cast is going to ask audience members for their happy thoughts," she said.
Some will be written on panels on-stage - another way for audience members to help these beloved characters soar.
"Peter and Wendy" runs 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with an additional showing at 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for seniors. For additional information, visit bit.ly/2voHWIK or call 573-592-4267.