SBT artistic director Albert Ihde helms the production, which plays through Dec. 28 at the Lobero Theatre. Alexander Frey conducts the orchestra; Richard Weiss is musical director.
In addition to Boettger, the cast features Robert Yacko (Captain Hook), Carolyn Hennesy (Mrs. Darling) and Sarah Bierstock (Wendy) with Frank Artusio, Deborah Bertling, Chet Carlin, Ryan Dalforno, Trevor Dow, Channing Fisher, Margaret Gobbell, Max Gobbell, Miller James, Steve Jones, David King, Angelica Lawrence, Jordan Lemmond, Olivia Le Sage, Aaron Linker, Tessa Miller, Malcolm McCarthy, Nolen McCarthy, Hannah Lee Robinson, Avery Sorenson, Talya Steinberg, Matt Tavianini and Sarina Charlotte Wasserman.
In a statement director Idhe said, "This version of Peter Pan was the first professional play I ever saw and it hooked me on theatre for life. Many critics have said that it's the best Peter Pan ever to appear on Broadway."
SBT managing director Ellen Pasternack added, "Our quest to unearth the rights took a year and a half and a trip to London. In 2005, I discovered that the Bernstein estate had just released the 'lost' Peter Pan score, which hadn't been available for over 50 years, on CD. When renowned conductor Alexander Frey, who worked with the Bernstein Office on the arrangement for the CD, heard that SBT had secured the rights to stage this Peter Pan, he called from Berlin to ask if he could conduct the show. It didn't take us long to say 'Yes!'"
Peter Pan features the J.M. Barrie play with songs by Bernstein. The production debuted on Broadway in April 1950 starring Boris Karloff and Jean Arthur. The SBT production includes two songs that were not used on Broadway. Songs in Peter Pan include "Who Am I?," "Pirate's Song," "Plank Round," "Build My House," "Peter Peter," "Captain Hook Soliloquy" and "Dream With Me."
There will be 14 performances of Peter Pan, with evening shows at 7 PM and matinees at 2 PM.
The Lobero Theatre is located at 33 East Canon Perdido Street in Santa Barbara, CA. Tickets, priced $45-$70, are available by phoning (805) 963-0761 or by visiting SBTheatre.
