JCOMPANY YOUTH THEATRE LAUNCHES 22nd SEASON WITH

DISNEY’S PETER PAN

Performances begin Saturday, October 25^th;

Running Through Sunday, November 9^th

at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family

Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS

Directed by Joey Landwehr

JCompany Youth Theatre proudly opens its 22^nd season with a show for all ages, DISNEY’S PETER PAN, directed by Joey Landwehr. Based on the beloved novel by J.M. Barrie, this enchanting musical tells the story of a boy who wouldn’t grow up. The score includes new arrangements of classic Disney songs, such as “Following The Leader,” “You Can Fly,” “The Second Star To The Right” and “Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life For Me.” This is a fun-filled, short show with fairies, pirates, mermaids, Indians, lost boys, and of course Peter Pan!

The production includes 88 youth cast members and 15 youth crew. Featured in the cast are Adira Rosen (Peter Pan) from Pacific Beach (Age 15, San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts); Gabi Leibowitz (Wendy Darling) from La Jolla (Age 15, Francis Parker School); Julia Price (Captain Hook) from Carmel Valley (Age 14, San Diego Jewish Academy); Joanne Barber (TinkerBell) from Ramona (Age 16, Grossmont Middle College High School); and Gabriel Mayer (Smee) from Tierrasanta (Age 14, San Diego Jewish Academy).

Director Joey Landwehr brings a unique educational component to his directing when working with his cast. Throughout Peter Pan, the theme of “mother” is found in many places- Wendy is like a mother to John and Michael, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys wish for a mother to tell them stories, and Mrs. Darling is the matriarch of the family.  The beautiful song “Your Mother and Mine” sung by Wendy is a loving ode to mothers.  Using the script and songs as inspiration, Landwehr asked his cast to compile a list of all the things, big and small, that are made possible because of their mothers and how she has helped them accomplish their dreams. From their lists, the actors created a letter, poem or song telling their mothers how grateful they are for her efforts.

Finally, Landwehr had his cast imagine their own version of “Neverland” and transfer those creative musings onto their own stars, which will be on display in the lobby. The results prove beyond a doubt that their talents are not limited to the stage.

This season, J*Company Youth Theatre proudly launched their “Random Acts of Culture” Corporate Sponsorship Program, to provide underserved San Diego communities with the joy of live youth theatre. Through the generosity of Metugo.com and the Shreiner Family, 500 youths, friends and families from Rady’s Childrens Hospital will enjoy a performance of DISNEY’S PETER PAN on Thursday, November 6th at 7pm.

Rounding out JCompany Youth Theatre’s 22nd Season are the following productions and upcoming auditions:

The Pirates of Penzance – January 16-25, 2015

Audition Dates and Times: October 12^th, 5:30-7:30, and October 13^th, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Ages: 7 – 18

Annie – March 6-22, 2015

Audition Dates and Times: January 5^th and 6^th, 6:00-8:00 pm

Ages: 7-18

West Side Story – May 8-17, 2015

Audition Dates and Times: February 23^rd and 24^th, 6:00-8:00 pm

Ages: 10-18

Additional information on upcoming JCompany Auditions can be found at: http://www.sdcjc.org/jc/auditions.aspx

GENERAL INFORMATION:

All performances take place at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla.  Call the JCC Box Office at 858-362-1348 or visit www.jcompanysd.org to purchase tickets and for more information.