By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

A story based on the creation of the beloved tale of Peter Pan, Finding Neverland, is coming to Lutcher Theater 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12.

Finding Neverland is packed with mesmerizing visuals, irresistible songs and plenty of laughs, it is a timeless story about the power of imagination and spectacular proof that you never really have to grow up. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother.

Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, Barrie sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever.

Conor McGiffin, an actor/singer/dancer based in New York City, plays two characters in the show: Charles Frohman and Captain James Hook.

Charles Frohman is the producer who must find a way to appreciate the play of Peter Pan in order to put it on.

And, well, Captain James Hook is Captain Hook that we all loved to ‘boo’ while watching Tinkerbell faded away in the Disney version of Peter Man, The Boy Who Never Grew Up.

McGiffin describes Hook’s character as a nightmare version of Hook.

“To play the character is the best. It’s thrilling,” McGiffin said in a phone interview. “To play someone so deliciously evil is so much fun and no right to be.”

McGiffin accredited the hair and makeup crews in helping transform him into the character.

“They are phenomenal,” McGiffin said.

The quick costume changes are the most difficult part of playing two characters in the same play.

“The costume changes help with the mindset,” McGiffin said. “Even during the quick change, I start to hold myself differently and it gives me the right energy to go into my next scene.”

This is not his first time to perform in a Peter Pan story. He performed in a children’s version when he was approximately 10 years old.

“I grew up with the Disney version,” McGiffin said. “It was a big part of my childhood. Now to be in the show about how it was created and see the other side of it… in a story out of a story.”

McGiffin added there has always been magic about the tale of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. The magic carries over into the tale of how the story came to life.

McGiffin has also graced the silver screen with a part in Toss It, a 2018 film.

“I gave the groom a swig from a flask in my jacket,” McGiffin said. “I was also an extra and worked with the editing van making sure it has gas and lighting had everything as well as the doing the marker clap.”

And while contributing to many areas behind the scenes happens on both film and stage, McGiffin said there are differences.

“With shooting, you have a schedule which gives you some leeway to get the time right and then when you do, you do it again from another angle,” McGiffin said. “In theater, you do it once and you can never replicate what was done on stage again.”

Which makes each show unique.

During the Lutcher’s 39th Season the theater reached its one-millionth patron. In honor of the momentous triumph, the Lutcher staff will celebrate with patrons at Finding Neverland by serving special treats at intermission and giving away incredible prizes.

Finding Neverland is sponsored locally by First Financial Bank and It’s All About The Mouse Travel.

Tickets can be purchased online at lutcher.org or call the box office at 409-886-5535.