Faith Lutheran prepares to stage steampunk version of ‘Peter Pan’

Author J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan" usually is not described as "industrial," "grungy" and "punky," but the Faith Lutheran Theatre Company's new production of the classic tale will be just that, says technical director Erik Ball.

Ball wrote an original adaptation - a "steampunk" version of the beloved story - that combines elements of Barrie's book and subsequent plays, musicals and movies.

"I'm tipping my hat with great respect to J.M. Barrie," said Ball, who played the role of Captain Hook six years ago in a Signature Productions play. "But we added different nuances here and there."

In this play, there are "savages" instead of Indians. They are "gothic, 'Avatar'-like underground beings," Ball said. The lost boys are "lost ones" and include girls. And Captain Hook is more menacing than ever, sporting a mechanical arm to replace the one Peter Pan fed to a crocodile.

The definition of steampunk is broad, but senior Jordan Mazzocato, who plays Captain Hook, described it as a "stylized version of the Victorian Era." Steampunk is also a visual style that draws from the Industrial Revolution. In this Neverland, the trees have joints and gear-connecting limbs.

Mazzocato, who played the role of Chad in Faith's spring musical "All Shook Up," said "there's nothing better than the feeling of playing a bad guy."

"They justify everything they do," Mazzocato said. "What's cool about Captain Hook is he doesn't think he's the villain. He thinks he's been wronged by Peter in every way possible, so he justifies everything he does ..."

One of Mazzocato's favorite scenes in the first act is when he gets to throw a "hissy fit" after a captured lost one escapes.

The title role is played by senior Cameron Feather, who starred last year as Ralphie in Faith's production of "A Christmas Story." Whereas that play strictly followed the movie, Feather said he was drawn to this one because "it's so unique and contrasts against everything else we've done.

"We want to make it completely defy everything you know about Peter Pan," Feather said.

The most down-to-earth character in the story, Wendy, is played by senior Kelly McCart, who last was Henrietta in "All Shook Up." McCart described Wendy as the audience's center in a fantasy world and a character that is "very relatable for most girls."

Ball said this play also embodies a new philosophy in the theater department to recycle and repurpose materials.

"The whole idea of theater is to kind of repurpose in general," Ball said, "to take a story that's been done time and again and look at it through your own filter and make it your own.

"We thought, let's take that concept to every element of the show."

Ball promised hodgepodge costumes, props and set pieces using everything from baby bibs to keyboard keys.

Audiences can expect to see some flying, puppetry, dancing and a little music. The show is not a musical, said Ball, but has a cinematic underscoring. Ball's wife, Emily, is directing the play.

Performances are scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Nov. 9 and 10 and 4 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 11 at Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School, 2015 S. Hualapai Way. Tickets are $5 to $20 and are available at faiththeatrecompany.com or showtix4u.com, or by calling 866-967-8167.

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 702-224-5524.