I remember looking up into the night sky and staring at the glistening stars, wondering, if it was all possible.I remember flipping the pages of the old book, reading the words that tell the tale of the boy who never grew up.I remember searching my mind for that one thought, that one single thought, that one happy thought that could make me fly.I remember closing my eyes with an odd little smile knowing that even if I couldn't get there, I'd dream about it.
Peter Pan is a story that is so close to my heart that I actually have the soundtracks on my laptop. Lol. Yes the soundtracks for the cartoon and the movies. I absolutely love the fairy tale like spin to it and I love the fight scenes and the concept of never growing up.
All of us, even if we don't admit it, have a lost a spot in our heart to this amazing story. I used to think it was real and I suspect that even when I grow older, I'm going to tell my kids that it is real and regale the brilliant stories of Peter Pan' daring escapades and cheeky charm, Wendy's elegance and grace and womanly views of the world, John's daring and manly take on life, Michael's adorable little gait and innocent joy on the simple things,
Captain Hook's vicious yet dramatic grand gestures, Smee's bumbling and supportive ways, the mermaid's mean and flirty manners, dear Tiger Lily's penchant for adventure and steely courage, the batch of orphaned lost boys who will put a smile on your face simply because they are vibrant and untouched by any of society's ugly views,
the pirates who "ARRRR" at anything anyone says, lovely and tactfully jealous Tinkerbell for showing love in one of the oddest ways possible and Nana, the Darlings' dog who sadly missed out on all the adventure.
Sailing across the seven seas with the pirates while uttering vile sea words!
Plunging into the ocean with the beautiful mermaids while playing amongst the corals.
Dancing in the air with Tinkerbell, feeling like the most graceful creature of all.
Captaining a ship of your own like Hook while having fun changing the style of your hook every day.
Being the Captain's right hand man so that you may share in his adventures.
Being a red Indian like Tiger Lily because you can wear a head dress and dance about the fire under the starry skies.
Using your imagination to conjure up all sorts of adventures like running the jungle hunting with the Red Indians or climbing up a tree to aid Peter Pan in a witty plan while sleeping beneath a lake like the Lost Boys.
Smiling to your heart's content like Wendy because you just met the most charming boy who makes you feel like everything can be carefree as he shows you all the secrets of Neverland.
Reveling in the luck like John for being part of a land that promises all the fun you could ever attain that you could never get back home.
Jumping up and down in excitement with Teddy in hand, like Michael, because your dream just came true.
OR
Flying through the night skies and swimming through the clouds, dancing upon the tree tops or brandishing a sword, or mayhaps the adventures of fighting with the pirates and taunting Captain Hook, or maybe even showing off to the mermaids, Tiger Lily and Wendy too. Peter Pan was the epitome of a child's dream and their fantasies.
So for all the cast members who got to play the parts, I should say you're very lucky for you have the chance of the lifetime. A script can only give you the words to utter on stage and the directions you should take but the spirit of these characters must come from your heart. Find the child within you, that little kid who remembers the tales and hold on tightly to it because when you get on stage and perform, the children watching you are going to wish they could share the adventures with you. Make those kids and their parents and your friends remember the magic of Peter Pan and Neverland.
So....I guess I'll see you guys at our next rehearsals. Remember, don't forget to bring the ten year old you : )
