MANSFIELD — Peter Pan, born 120 years ago in the fertile mind of Scottish playwright Sir James Matthew Barrie, has never grown up.
But Milo McDonald, who will be an eighth-grader at Ashland Middle School this fall, is already considering his own grown-up career options.
First, however, the 13-year-old will bring Barrie’s primary creation to life on Friday night when the Mansfield Playhouse presents its final show of the season, a youth production of “Peter Pan Jr.”
McDonald will lead a cast of 40 local youngsters, chosen from among 77 who auditioned in April, during the two-weekend run.
Already a veteran vocal performer and dancer in previous shows at the Playhouse and the Renaissance Theatre, McDonald has good ideas for his adult career.
“I have a lot of backup plans, but I first want to try dancing or acting,” he said.
“If that doesn’t work out, then I would like to be an engineer of some kind. I love roller coasters and things like that.
“And if that doesn’t work out, then I would like to study chemistry. Those are like the three major things I want to do when I grow up,” said McDonald, who said remembering all of Peter Pan’s many lines was his toughest challenge for the new show.
“I thought I would never memorize them. I think Peter Pan has the most lines out of any show I have done. But strangely, one day, I just knew all the lines,” he said with a laugh.
(Photos from the dress rehearsal Monday night of “Peter Pan” at the Mansfield Playhouse. The story continues below the gallery.)
McDonald has his eye on the lead role when he chose to audition.
“Peter is full of energy. He is very playful. He’s a really fun character to play,” he said.
Doug Wertz, the Playhouse artistic director, said McDonald has done great work.
“He just loves to perform. He is a very good dancer and has a wonderful voice. He just really fits the role of Peter Pan,” he said.
‘Peter Pan’ ticket info
The show will be staged June 14-15 and 21-22 at 7 p.m. and June 23 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
Call the box office to order tickets at 419-522-2883 Wednesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and one hour prior to all performances.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/Playhouse/3818.
As he wraps up the final show of the 2023-2024 season, Wertz said he is pleased with all of the cast members.
“This is a wonderful group of kids. I am just truly happy with this group … the respect and encouragement they have shown one another,” he said.
“There just has been no drama and they have all been dedicated to what they have been doing,” Wertz said.
One of those cast members is Stella McNary, 12, who will enter the seventh grade at Shelby Middle School this fall.
Tasked with bringing Wendy Darling to life, McNary is also already a veteran.
This will be the sixth Mansfield Playhouse show in which she has participated either in the cast or working backstage.
Where did she learn to sing so well?
“In the shower,” she said with a laugh.
McNary said she has enjoyed playing the eldest Darling sibling, whom Barrie described as “an ordinary girl” who has adventures in the amazing world of Neverland.
“It’s been a lot of fun. I get to interact with all of the cast and I do quite a bit of singing,” she said.
The villain in the show, of course, is Captain Hook, played by Aurelien von Ehrenkrook, 16, who will be a homeschooled junior this fall.
He is making his Playhouse debut, though his mother and his younger sisters have performed at the East Third Street theater. He said Peter Pan matched his schedule perfectly.
“I thought since this was my first show, they would maybe have me in the ensemble. I was really excited when they gave me the role of Captain Hook,” Ehrenkrook said.
“It’s also fun playing a bad guy,” he said with a smile.
Offstage, he enjoys Revolutionary War re-enacting, which plays perfectly into his future career plans.
“I’m planning on becoming an American history professor at a university,” Ehrenkrook said.
‘Peter Pan’ cast
Milo McDonald – Peter Pan
Stella McNary – Wendy
Elijah Burton – John
Oliver Jones – Michael
Aria Schwartfigure – Nana/Crocodile
Josie Foster – Mrs. Darling
Monroe Bolen – Mr. Darling
Joseph Reddy – Nibs
Derrick Foster – Slightly
Estel Bramlage – Curley
Beatrice Jones – Twin #1
Naomi Houston – Twin #2
Kenan Burton – Tootles
Aurelian von Ehrenkrook – Captain Hook
Graycen Stevens – Smee
Adon Burton – Jukes
JT Viscioni – Starkey
Ian Hergatt – Cecco
Micah Burton – Tiger Lily
Josie McNary – Small Brave Girl
Gwyneth Jones – Brave Girl #1
Makenzie Wynn – Brave Girl #2
Ensemble members: Selah Wolbert, Sawyer Beasley, Xavier Getz, Nicholas Spoon, Clara Thompson, Delta Davis, Olivia Grove, Julianna Kinnunen, Kinley Clow, Maddie Shafley, Scarlett Swisher, Cici Kettering, Julia Burton, Chloe Burton, Drake Ramey, Ella Aquino, Gage Anderson, Jordyn Beasely
Director: Doug Wertz
Musical director: Kim Wolbert
Choreographer: Aryan Davis