PS Center Stage Players present the musical “Peter Pan” with Ava Cheff (left) of Trenton as Peter Pan and Aubrey Diebold of Riverview as Captain Hook. The show runs 7 p.m. Feb. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at the Jo Brighton Auditorium in Wyandotte. For more information, go to PSCenterStagePlayer.com.
Classical tales take to the stage as PS Center Stage Players produce a musical version of “Peter Pan,” while the Southgate Community Players present a youth theater production of “Winnie the Pooh – Kids.” In addition, Barefoot Productions will hold auditions for Paul Bruce’s “Little Women – A Little Musical.”
PSCSP PRESENTS MUSICAL ‘PETER PAN’
The musical magic of “Peter Pan” will take one’s mind off the winter cold as PS Center Stage Players travel to Neverland Feb. 17 to 25 at the Jo Brighton Auditorium, 4460 18th St., Wyandotte.
The show is directed by Penny Lynn Siler of Southgate, with choreographer Amber Kittle Selburg of Flat Rock and musical accompanist David Wagner.
Ava Cheff of Trenton plays Peter Pan, with Aubrey Diebold of Riverview as Captain Hook and Mr. Darling.
Jamie Moreno of Brownstown Township plays Mrs. Darling and an Indian, with MaryKate Lassiter of Newport as Wendy Darling, and Wyandotte residents Addison Sauve as John Darling and Lyla Mutafis as Michael Darling and Jane.
The pirates include: Debbie Swick of New Boston as Smee, Wyandotte residents A.J. Bedikian as Starkey and Kathy Bedikian as Cecco, and Char Bauer of Lincoln Park as Jukes.
Also in the cast, as Lost Boys and Indians, are: Rosemary Zehel of Wyandotte as Tootles, Julianne Moreno of Brownstown Township as Slightly Soiled, Lily Wilson of Wyandotte as Curly, Ruby Novakowski of Southgate as Twin One, and Sydney Colon of Allen Park as Twin Two.
Also, Levi Vargo of Wyandotte as Nibs; Morgan Moreno of Southgate as an Ostrich and a Lost Boy; Sophia Dauzy of Newport as Liza and a Lost Boy; Stacey Vargo of Wyandotte as Tiger Lily; Leah Novakowski of Southgate as an Indian and a Lion; Bella Pawlowski of Southgate as Older Wendy, an Indian, Nana and a Crocodile; and Zoe Cheff of Trenton as Nana, a Crocodile and an Indian.
Ava Cheff said learning how to authentically play Peter Pan, a magical little boy, has been a challenge.
“I hope the audiences see how much passion everyone in the cast and crew have for theatre,” she said. “We all care so much, and you can see it in every aspect of the show.”
Diebold, who plays Hook, said it has been challenging for her to get back into her theater groove after not performing for two years due to the pandemic.
She said that since the auditorium does not have a fly system, their production of the story has its characters “fly” through dance steps or set design.
Swick said she is excited to be onstage with her daughter, Stacey Vargo, and two grandchildren, Levi Vargo and Lyla Mutafis.
“This is my first time in a play like this,” she said. “It has been on my bucket list for many years, so here I am, at 67, giving it my best and having a ball.”
Swick said the cast is working hard, and even rehearsed during the recent snow storm.
“I hope to see a good crowd there,” she said. “We all need a bit of fun and laughter these days.”
Julianne Moreno said the show is for all ages and she hopes audiences not only have fun, but learn to believe in fairies.
“It has lots of fun characters, like pirates, Indians and even animals,” she said. “If you want to see a family show with lots of dancing and singing, and lots of laughs, come see the show.”
Tickets sales are cash only, and available at the door. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and military personnel and $8 for children ages two to 12 years old.
The show runs 7 p.m. Feb. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at Jo Brighton Auditorium, 4460 18th St., Wyandotte. For more information, go to PSCenterStagePlayers.com.
SCP PRESENTS ‘WINNIE THE POOH – KIDS’
Southgate Community Players present the youth musical “Winnie the Pooh – Kids” Feb. 18 to 20 at the SCP Corner Playhouse, 12671 Dix Toledo Road in Southgate.
Based on the characters created by author A.A. Milne and the 2011 Disney animated film, the story follows Winnie the Pooh through the Hundred Acre Wood with Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit and Owl as they search for Christopher Robin, who has mysteriously disappeared.
Along the way, the creatures learn about teamwork, friendship and sharing snacks.
The show is directed and choreographed by Makena Shell, with vocal direction by Taylor Charbonneau.
The show runs 7 p.m. Feb. 18 and 19, and 3 p.m. Feb. 19 and 20 at the playhouse. Tickets are $10, and are available at showtix4u.com/event-details/60369.
Masks are required. For more information, see the Southgate Community Players Facebook page.
BAREFOOT PRODUCTIONS TO AUDITION FOR ‘LITTLE WOMEN, A LITTLE MUSICAL’
Dearborn playwright Paul Bruce will hold auditions for his original musical “Little Women, A Little Musical” at 7 p.m. (with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.) on March 7 and 8 at Barefoot Productions, 33735 Five Mile Road in Livonia.
Bruce will direct and choreograph the show, which will run the first two weekends of June.
Seven roles will be cast: Marmee, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March, Laurie Laurence, and one male to play Father March, Grandfather Laurence and Aunt March.
The March women are soprano roles, Laurie Laurence is a tenor role, and Father March, Grandfather Laurence and Aunt March is a baritone/baritenor role.
Those auditioning should prepare a vocal selection and bring an accompaniment device. Those asked to stay will be taught vocal selections from the show and then asked to perform them.
In addition, all auditionees should be dressed to perform a movement audition.
Since the show is through-composed, there will be minimal readings, with only brief narrations performed by the characters between scenes.
For more information, contact Paul Bruce at musicalbruce@aol.com.