Axelrod’s Rising Stars Youth Performing Arts Program Presents “Peter Pan” – New Jersey Stage

(OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ) —  A family musical that’s perfect for the holiday season, Peter Pan is flying onto the Axelrod stage December 8-16. Axelrod’s award-winning Rising Stars Youth Performing Arts program presents one of Broadway’s timeless classics in a fully staged production directed by Lisa Goldfarb with musical direction by Randy Hurst and choreography by Wendy Roman.  

Based on J.M. Barrie’s classic tale with beloved characters Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and Captain Hook, Peter Pan features an unforgettable score by “Moose” Charlap and Jule Styne with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green that includes such iconic songs as “I’m Flying,” “I’ve Gotta Crow,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” and “Never Never Land.”

Led by Perry Award-winning actor Michael Patierno, in the dual role of Captain Hook and Mr. Darling, and popular regional theater actress Gabrielle Trumbull, the cast features 36 young actors from Monmouth and Ocean counties ranging in age from 8-19 years old. 

Says Goldfarb, “The cast and I are excited to welcome two polished, professional, adult actors to join this Rising Stars production of Peter Pan. They’re not only raising the caliber of our production, but also mentoring our young performers and setting great professional examples.

“Our Rising Stars performers, in fact, received rave reviews at The Night of Future Broadway Stars, which was a benefit for Covenant House.  Numerous Broadway luminaries who attended the event noted the incredible caliber of our performance.”

Audiences at the Axelrod are known to rave about the outstanding quality of the youth productions, and many continue to come to the performances long after their children have grown.

Flying sequences will be handled by “Flying by Foy”, the most prolific and widely respected theatrical flying service in the world. Foy provides flying effects, Aereography® and state-of-the-art automation for Broadway shows, London’s West End, professional and not-for-profit theatres, feature films and television productions worldwide.

The role of Peter Pan will be shared by Claudia Tawil and Victoria Bahary, both of Ocean Township. Other cast members include Mara Campolatarro (Rumson) and Jordan Zelen (Tinton Falls) sharing the role of Wendy Darling; Christopher Abt (Howell) as John Darling; Sophia Bahary (Ocean) as Michael Darling; Natalie Rosati (Atlantic Highlands) as Tiger Lily, and Courtney Mormino and Lily Schechter (both Manalapan) sharing the role of Jane Darling.

The production also features set design by Fred Sorrentino, lighting by Jim Lyle, costumes by Joanne DeLuca and Donna Silogy-Gigante of Playtime Costumes and props by Sue Bloir.

Show dates are December 8 and 15 at 7:30pm, and December 9 and 16 at 1:00pm and 5:00pm. Tickets prices are: Adults and Seniors $25 and Students $22.  They can be purchased online. APAC is fully accessible and offers free, on-site parking, and is located at 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park, NJ. 

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center’s Rising Stars Youth Performing Arts Program, under the direction of Youth Director Lisa Goldfarb, is a musical theater program open to young people ages 8-19 from Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The program teaches the basic fundamentals of musical theater including singing, acting, dancing and staging. The program produces two (2) publicly-presented musicals per year; one in winter and one in spring, overseen by the Axelrod’s professional theater staff. 

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is New Jersey’s newest professional theater, offering main-stage musicals with casts and production teams from New York City and beyond as well as original concerts throughout the year. The Axelrod fosters artistic excellence by showcasing varied and distinct cultural programs that enrich the imaginative, intellectual, and creative soul, while cultivating an appreciation of diverse communities through the pursuit of the arts.