YA4Ever

(YOUNG ARTISTS ENSEMBLE ALUMNI & FRIENDS) PRESENT

Peter and the Starcatcher

THOUSAND OAKS, CA – Young Artists Ensemble Alumni and Friends will join together to present Peter and the Starcatcher January 12 - 15, 2017, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks.  Directed by Francesca Barletta, the Tony-winning play is based on the best-selling novels by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan. The play is written by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker. Musical Direction is by Natalie Hightower with choreography by Kurt Kemper. This play is perfect for the entire family and proceeds benefit Young Artists Ensemble. YA4Ever’s Peter and the Starcatcher has launched a donation site where you can receive special gifts and perks in exchange for your important donation. Some donation packages include: signed posters from the cast, 4 VIP front row seats, and a romantic dinner for 2 at Westlake Village’s renowned Tuscany il Ristorante.

              The production features a dozen actors playing more than a hundred unforgettable characters, all on a journey to answer the century-old question: How did Peter Pan become The Boy Who Never Grew Up?  This epic origin story of popular culture’s most enduring and beloved character proves that your imagination is the most captivating place in the world. First time director, Francesca Barletta is no stranger to the stage. She has starred in countless YAE productions such as, “Mrs. Lovett” in Sweeney Todd and “Fraulein Schneider” in Cabaret. She is one of the founding members of YA4Ever and has performed in such shows as, Urinetown and Into the Woods.  Francesca has a long love story with Peter and the Starcatcher, recently working with original Broadway and National Tour cast members in a production of Peter and the Starcatcher in North Hollywood. YA4Ever’s 12 person cast includes alumni of YAE and YA4Ever as well as new and fresh faces from around the Los Angeles area.  This production is by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

            YA4Ever is a talented and generous group of Young Artists Ensemble Alumni and Friends who gather to donate their time and talents for the presentations of fun musical productions. Recent productions have included “Avenue Q”, “Spring Awakening”, “Into the Woods”, “Godspell”, “Rent”, “The Last Five Years” starring Veronica Dunne, “Urinetown”, and “The Rocky Horror Show”.  These productions are created to support the performing arts and raise money for Young Artists Ensemble, while giving YAE alumni a chance to come back to perform in the place where they first began to develop their craft and deepen their love for the theatre. 

            Young Artists Ensemble is an award-winning theatre company for young people that has received many accolades, including the Encore Statue Award from the City of Thousand Oaks for Excellence in the Arts.  It has received top honors in the National Youth Arts Awards for many of its Teen Summer Musicals and its Conejo Theatre For Everyone. 

            When the Young Artists Ensemble started in 1981 it was a small group performing on a shoestring budget in the back room of a local park. Today it produces an annual Family Theatre Season as well as annual Teen Dramas and Teen Summer Musicals. YAE works to instill a seed of love for the arts in the youth of this community that will continue to grow and blossom throughout their lives. Yearly it provides opportunities for hundreds of kids between the ages of 10 and 19 to perform in well-known musicals and plays, and hosts an annual program that integrates developmentally delayed adults into the theatrical community. 

            Reserved tickets are $15 for students and seniors and $20 for adults and may be purchased by calling 805-381-1246 or visiting www.hillcrestarts.com.  

PHOTO BY PAUL CRANMER:  KEVIN KEPICH as BOY, and KRISTEN WISNESKI as MOLLY ASTER.

DETAILS FOR CALENDAR LISTINGS

Peter and the Starcatcher

WHAT:   Tony-winning play is based on the best-selling novels by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan. The play is written by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker and is perfect for the entire family.  Proceeds benefit Young Artists Ensemble.

WHEN:

January 12 – 15, 2017, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm

Hillcrest Center for the Arts

403 W. Hillcrest Drive

Thousand Oaks, CA

HOW: 
(805) 381-1246 or www.hillcrestarts.com

TICKETS: 
Reserved seating is $15 for students and seniors and $20 for adults.

OTHER: 
Free parking is always available.