Meet the Players: For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday
For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday
by Sarah Ruhl
directed by Val Sheppard
at Pier One Theatre on the Spit • June 15, 16, 17, 18 & 22, 23, 24, 25 @ 7:30 PM
When Ann thinks of her father, she immediately remembers playing Peter Pan in her hometown theater in Iowa, particularly when he used to bring her flowers after her performance. Her memory is jogged by the fact that she and her four siblings are in their father’s hospital room during his final moments. His death sparks a conversational wake that includes everything from arguments over politics to when each sibling realized that they grew up. A loving look at a family’s view of death, life and the allure of never growing up.
“For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Meet the Players
#1 (Ann) - Cathy Stingley
Sarah Ruhl’s Mother is named Kathleen (Kathy). My name is Catherine (Cathy). She played in the original Mary Martin version of the musical, Peter Pan, when she was a teenager. I played in the Mary Martin version when I was a teenager. She sang. I sang. She flew. I flew. She still had her costume. I still have my costume. She still had her program. I still have my program. She was in her seventies when Sarah completed this play for her. I am in my seventies. Peter Pan has saturated Kathleen’s life. Peter Pan has saturated these many years for me as well. I never stopped wanting to play Peter again. Who would have thought I could be doing it at age 74?! With many thanks to Sarah Ruhl and Val Sheppard, I am!
#2 (John) - Maggie Quarton
Maggie Quarton always welcomes an opportunity to perform on the Pier One stage and escape her search for meaning in this vale of tears called life. Okay it’s not as bad as that, but it is certainly an escape from reality. Kind of like taking a road trip but in two-hour increments. I previously was married to Ken Landfield when we were in Moon Over Buffalo and I never imagined I’d one day be playing his brother. Enjoy the show!
#3 (Jim) - Ken Landfield
This is Pier One Theatre’s 50th year. Isn’t that wonderful?! This is also my 40th year with the company. Which amazes me. As I recall, there was some sword-clanging in that first show; I think there’s some in this one too. Maybe things haven’t changed that much. I hope you enjoy the sword-clanging, and the rest of the stuff too. Thanks for coming!
#4 (Michael) - Ken Goldman
Ken Goldman is originally from Denver, Colorado. He retired from state service as a fisheries biologist several years ago, and along with one of his best friends opened Captain’s Toy Chest toy store here in town. He still teaches at the University of Alaska’s Kachemak Bay campus and has a research affiliate position at Alaska Pacific University. He has been living in Homer for the past 18 years. He loves spending time with his wonderful 16-year-old daughter Raquel and the love of his life Jessie Dabney, her wonderful family and his two cats. The last time Ken appeared in a play was in high school, but he is very excited to get back to acting with Pier One Theatre.
#5 (Wendy) - Sarah L. Brewer
Sarah was last seen as Madame in Beauty and the Beast, but in her spare time she is most often seen reading or teaching Shakespeare. She is incredibly grateful and humbled to be a part of this cast of talented humans.
Father - Greg Fries
Who might have known that I at my age for the first time should take the stage, for what could be my only though most meaningful act, when I get to lay forth that all may end well in the world, as in ‘everafterland…
Director - Val Sheppard
It means a tremendous deal to me to be directing a show like this for Pier One's 50th year of community theatre. I've come so far since my early days in their Youth Theatre programs and the past 10+ years that I've been acting in and directing shows for them have given me a wealth of experience that has all helped me grow into who I am; and yet, despite all that growing I still don't exactly feel "grown up" per se, and that's not something I intend on changing any time soon. Thanks to Sarah Ruhl and my incredible cast, I can put off those obligations for at least a little while longer.
