The cast and directors of the Rochester Middle School play “Peter Pan Jr.” are shown. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 1.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Rochester Middle School students invite the public to join them in Neverland.

RMS Theater Arts is presenting “Peter Pan Jr.” at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 1, in the Rochester High School auditorium.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with tickets available at the door. Those cost $10 for adults and $5 for students, with those 5 and younger free.

Twenty-five students make up the cast, with play Co-director Tara Smoker noting many of them are acting for the first time. She said she and Co-director Berklee Sutton chose “Peter Pan Jr.” for the play as it fits the cast size.

“We don’t remember it being done at Rochester in a very long time, if ever,” added Smoker. “With it being a junior show, it is shorter and a perfect length for a middle school production! It also has fun musical numbers that we really liked as well. It is just a fun show for all ages.”

Allie Mulligan as Captain Hook, left, and Brantlyn Brubaker as Peter Pan fight. They are part of the cast of the Rochester Middle School play “Peter Pan Jr.”

Smoker said it’s the first musical she and Sutton have directed together for RMS.

Those who have seen Disney’s “Peter Pan” film will recognize the songs, said Smoker. She said the play differs merely from the Disney film in that there are no mermaids.

Smoker said she hopes audience members enjoy “everything from the singing and dancing to the fabulous talent.”

“I do not think you will leave disappointed,” she said.

Smoker said she hoped students “gain confidence” from being in the show.

“Many of them have so much talent, and they don’t even realize it,” she said. “I can’t wait to see them get on that stage and shine!”

‘Peter Pan Jr.’ Cast List

Peter Pan — Brantlyn Brubaker

Wendy — Charlie Backus

John — Austin Field

Michael — Travis Bright

Liza — Ella Papandria

Nana — Rilee Lucker

Mr. Darling — Logan Zartman

Mrs. Darling — Zoey Blakesly

Nibs — Wynter White

Slightly — Minna Fulton

Curley — Riley Harding

Twin No. 1 — Keaghan Kauffman

Twin No. 2 — Aria Kauffman

Tootles — Corinna Chevalier

Captain Hook — Allie Mulligan

Smee — Delilah Ashby

Noodler — Lexy Springer

Jukes — Elizabeth Metz

Starkey — Taylor Cox

Cecco — Daphne Blakesley

Tiger Lily — Whitley Winans

Small Brave Girl — Ella Papandria

Brave Girl No. 1 — Alice Atkinson

Brave Girl No. 2 — Alyssa Clapper

Crocodile — Lyrik Rivas