‘Peter Pan’ Hooks Audiences at Serra

Musical based on 1954 Broadway smash takes stage Friday

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams
The Tube City Almanac
April 23, 2025
Posted in: Entertainment, McKeesport and Region News

The cast strikes a pose during rehearsals for one of the dance numbers in Serra Catholic High School’s production of “Peter Pan” musical. (Submitted photo courtesy Jesse Bush, Serra Catholic High School)

Tasked with selecting the annual spring musical at Serra Catholic, director Jesse Bush said he wanted to do something different to give the students a new experience.

“I try to pick a variety of styles of musicals. Last year was the ‘Addams Family,’ year before was ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ and I thought it was time to do something a little more lighthearted,” he said.

The result is “Peter Pan,” based on the 1954 Broadway version starring Mary Martin as the boy who won’t grow up, which opens Friday (April 25) at 7 p.m.

“I choose shows based on what I feel best suits my students’ abilities, not what show I want to see,” the director added. “The music is very memorable, with iconic songs like ‘I’m Flying,’ ‘I Won’t Grow Up,’ and ‘Never Never Land.’ “

Junior Lyndsay Chirdon and senior Michael (Mickey) O’Brien lead the cast as Peter Pan and Captain Hook.

Chirdon said when she first found out the show was going to be “Peter Pan,” she had no idea what role she wanted, since she did not know much about it as a musical.

“I found a version on YouTube, and I immediately knew I wanted to play Peter Pan,” she said. “After talking to my voice teacher, I had my heart set on getting this role.

“Whenever I found out that I got Peter Pan, I was sitting at my dinner table with some of my family,” Chirdon said. “I had been preparing for weeks by singing ‘I’m Flying’ basically every day in my room and also in my voice lessons. My family kept asking me what the cast list said, and all I could say was, ‘I got it, I got it!”

Chirdon said once she knew she got the role, she immediately started working to learn all Peter’s songs and lines. “I also did my research and found many different versions to inspire my acting.”

“I auditioned for Captain Hook, and I’m very happy about the results,” said O’Brien, who also appears as Mr. Darling.

“The hardest part for me, honestly, has been learning to act with one hand, as in years past I had access to both and talk with my hands very often,” O’Brien said. “It was hard to adjust to only using my right hand as my left will have the hook.

“From the beginning, I knew I wanted a different Captain Hook than the thought of him as an incompetent idiot that most versions describe him as,” O’Brien explained.

“I didn’t know exactly where I wanted to go (with the character),” O’Brien said, “but I wanted an intensity to him that many people push to the side when they think of Hook in favor of the comedy. While I still put a focus on the comedy, I wanted my intensity to shine through.

“As the practices have gone on, I feel like I’ve perfected my presence as Captain Hook, starting with the voice, and then eventually as that came along, it feels natural to get into this character,” he said.

To round out the cast necessary for “Peter Pan,” Bush said they included students from Serra’s Catholic elementary feeder schools to play the Lost Boys and to fill the role of Michael Darling and Jane (Wendy’s daughter).

“The younger students are doing great, and are wonderful additions to our cast,” the director said.

In the final stretch of rehearsals before opening night, Bush reflected there were lots of hurdles to overcome with producing “Peter Pan.”

“Initially, I wasn’t sure if we were going to include the younger students or not, but it was a great decision to include them,” he said.

“The costuming is also very creative, with several unique animal characters like the crocodile, ostrich, and the Darling family dog Nana,” Bush said.

“Set design is always an interesting challenge, too,” Bush said, “when you are on a tight budget and trying to be creative. We have many great pieces built by my father (Mitch Bush) and me.”

Payton Normandy found herself in a leadership role as Wendy Darling. “When I auditioned, I wanted to be Wendy and was so excited when the cast list came out,” Normandy said.  “I am also a sophomore so I really didn’t expect a big part.”

She said one of the most challenging parts for her was learning a British accent. “It takes a lot of hard work to get it just right.”

Normandy said it has been fun working with the younger students and helping them out.

“They always have so much energy and it is so easy to feed off of it,” she said. “I help assist younger classes at my dance studio, so I am using some of that knowledge to help me. I always try to be patient with them and, most importantly, kind. They are young children and it is probably a little scary to be with a bunch of high schoolers all the time, so I just try to be nice.”

Cassie Fedor returns to the professional staff as choreographer and business manager.

“I had a few different inspirations for the choreography for the show this year,” Fedor said. “Because it’s a classic show, I tried to add in some traditional ballet movements. They ended up matching really nicely with the score.”

Captain Hook has his own dance repertoire, with choreography consistent with the names of the musical numbers where he is featured.

“For Captain Hook’s dances,” Fedor said, “their steps were in their names … the Tango, the Tarantella, and the Waltz. I tried to keep those styles with their respective dances.

“And I wanted Tiger Lily and the Indians’ dances to look strong and fun,” the choreographer said. “With so many different looks, it makes the show really well-rounded and fun! I had a great time with it.”

Both high school and area middle school students who are part of Serra's spring musical, which opens Friday. (Submitted photo courtesy Jesse Bush, Serra Catholic High School)

Sophomore Jada Lawson said she had Wendy in mind when she auditioned, but “I am thrilled that I am given the opportunity to play Tiger Lily.”

“The dancing has definitely been the most challenging for me. My favorite scene is when the Indians scooter onto the stage to save Peter Pan.”

Cassandra (Cassie) Lake portrays Mrs. Darling, plus Starkey, a member of the pirate crew.

“When I originally auditioned, I really wanted the part of Wendy. I am a little bummed about not getting a lead for my senior year, but I’m making the best of it,” she said.

“The most challenging part of rehearsal this year are the dances,” Lake said. “I’m not a dancer and the dances are very good, but very hard this year.

“My favorite scene is the end when Mrs. Darling is reunited with her children and adopts the Lost Boys,” she said.

Sullivan Muzy said as a freshman, he auditioned with no particular role in mind, and is “just excited to be in the show” as Wendy’s brother John Darling.

“My favorite part of the show is ‘Oh My Mysterious Lady,’ “ Muzy said, “because you can really see how much fun Lyndsay and Mickey are having. The scene feels right out of a cartoon.”

Chirdon said her most challenging part as Peter Pan has been “all the scenes with Tinkerbell. Since Tinkerbell is just a sound effect, I was memorizing a conversation with myself. I have to match my lines up with the Tinkerbell track.”

O’Brien said his favorite part of the musical is “from the sword fight I have with Lyndsay till I die near the end. I love this part as it truly is when I’m able to ‘lose it’ onstage and just go all out in my insanity. However, it does take a lot out of me.”

Chirdon and Normandy said their favorite musical number is “Ugg-a-Wugg.”

“It is the first time everyone is onstage dancing and singing together,” Normandy said. “It is also my favorite because I am a dancer and it is so nice to get to be in the big dance number.”

Chirdon said it’s her favorite because “both the music and dance are upbeat and fun. I especially love this number because it is one of the only ones where almost the entire cast is in it. It is so amazing to see so many people onstage at once.”

“My favorite part about playing Peter Pan has to be the magic that can come to life with this role,” she said.  “The past musicals I have done here have been dark and humorous (‘Addams Family’ and ‘Little Shop of Horrors’).

“Getting to play Peter Pan was such a dream come true,” Chirdon said. “I have family friends that have younger kids, and seeing their excitement over a fairy tale musical was amazing.”

Bonnijean Cooney Adams is a freelance contributor. She can be reached at adamsclick@aol.com.

Serra’s “Peter Pan”

Cast, in order of appearance

Payton Normandy as Wendy Darling
Sullivan Muzy as John Darling
Erin Genton as Liza, the Maid
Brody Wick as Michael Darling
Olivia Naylor as Nana, the Family Dog
Cassandra Lake as Mrs. Darling
Michael O’Brien as Mr. Darling/Captain Hook
Via Svitek as Tinkerbell
Lyndsay Chirdon as Peter Pan
Catherine Erfort as the Ostrich
Tucker Craig as Slightly
Haley Churchfield as Toodles
Isaac Langer as Curley
Jillian Straka as Nibs
Allison Shaffer as 1st Twin
Elizabeth Wunderley as 2nd Twin
Alessia Palombo as 3rd Twin
Emilia Capasso as Mr. Smee
Andrew Clauto as the Crocodile
Jada Lawson as Tiger Lily
Cassandra Lake as Starkey
Victor Navish as Cecco
Amy Dodds as Noodler
Xavier Miller as Jukes
Anastasia Miller as Jane

High School Ensemble – Pirates and Indians

Emilia Capasso, Amy Dodds, Catherine Erfort, Erin Genton, Cassandra Lake, Victor Navish, Olivia Naylor, Sara Robertson

Middle School Ensemble – The Lost Boys

Haley Churchfield, Ryder Craig, Tucker Craig, Jaxson Fettis, Owen Firda, James Jackson III, Isaac Langer, Colton Maseth, Colton Matthews, Anastasia Miller, Alessia Palombo, Allison Shaffer, Jillian Straka, Brody Wick, Elizabeth Wunderley

Stage Crew

Amanda Bendel, Andrew Clauto, Lucia Dunn, Legend Jenkins, Jacob Matthews, Xavier Miller, Chloe Soyke, Ricky Spicuzza, Via Svitek

Production Staff

Director Jesse Bush
Business Manager/Choreographer Cassie Fedor
Stage Manager Jimmy Fedor
Set Builder Mitchell Bush
Sound/Lighting Red Baughman

Originally published April 23, 2025.

In other news:
"MASD OK’s Prelim Budg…" || "AARP Voices Concerns …"