Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesForty-one youngsters ranging in ages from 5 to 18 years old star in the Drama Kids Theatre Guild production of Disney's 'Peter Pan.'

VALDOSTA – Baxa Campbell and Tristan Thomas cross dagger, sword and hook, battling across the set. Below, Elizabeth Foster is captured in a large cage.

Though the actors are young, they walk the steps of a generations-old battle.

The battle of Peter Pan and Captain Hook, of freeing Tinker Bell from the cage, of being young and growing up, on a pirate ship somewhere in Neverland.

This weekend, Neverland is on the stage of the old Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center. 

Drama Kids Theatre Guild presents Disney’s “Peter Pan” Jr. The junior designation denotes a script that has been shortened and adapted especially for a young cast.

The 41 youngsters participating in “Peter Pan” are 5 to 18 years old, said Valerie Gales, a Valdosta State University student directing the show.

They play all of the familiar characters originally brought to life by playwright J.M. Barrie then later adapted by Walt Disney into the animated 1953 movie. The play is based on the Disney cartoon, said Lu Baxa who is a show producer with Maggie Smith. 

Baxa, Smith and husband David Smith founded Drama Kids last year.

The play features familiar songs from the Disney version, such as “You Can Fly!” “Following the Leader,” “Second Star to the Right” but also songs from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride and the 2008 “Tinker Bell” film, according to the theatre organization.

The story remains the same.

“… The boy who wouldn’t grow up and the girl who has to,” according to the Drama Kids synopsis. “After finding his shadow in the Darling family nursery, Peter teaches Wendy, Michael and John how to fly and sweeps them off to Neverland, where they meet Lost Boys, mermaids, Indians and, of course, pirates.”

All Drama Kids needs are audiences to believe.

 

THE CAST: Baxa Campbell, Elizabeth Foster, Tristan Thomas, Laurana Layton, Noah Wilson, Audrey Thompson, Caden Thomas, Zylee Sisson, Zayaa Sisson, Lillabeth Mason, Tiffany Kennedy, Madelyn James, Jaclyn Taylor, Jaliyah Head, Sadie Mason, Royce Varney, Taylor Grace DeLoach, Violet Lofton, Kaley Goff, Sally Kirkland, Delilah Perez, Freedom Perez, Mackenzi Cole, Gunner Smith, Caylee Renee, Mackenzie Braswell, Laura York, Cy Carter, Ella Kate Wilburn, Sarah Beth Rowan, Reese Dorminey, Ariana Francis, Karley Velazquez, Quinn Wilson, Brynn Meraz, Maryn Thomas, Brawdy Gupton, Madeline Sutherland, Charlotte Foster, Mya Herrick.

 

 

SHOWTIME

Drama Kids Theatre Guild presents Disney’s “Peter Pan” Jr.

When: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8; and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 9.

Where: Old Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, 3101 N. Forrest St.

Tickets: $12, adult; $10, child.

More information: Visit www.dramakidsvaldosta.com