From staff reports
Don’t be surprised if you see gangs of pirates, fairies, and Native Americans in Prescott Park this summer. It’s all part of the Prescott Park Arts Festival’s 2015 musical production: “Peter Pan The Musical.”
Festival director Ben Anderson revealed this year’s show during a sponsor event at the One Hundred Club in Portsmouth on Monday, March 9. The musical takes the stage on June 26 and continues every week through Aug. 23.
Dan Beaulieu will serve as the festival’s stage director this year, and Patrick Dorow is artistic director. Auditions for “Peter Pan” take place on Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22, at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.
During the festival’s 40th anniversary season last year, the park presented “Shrek The Musical.” Pan last soared over the Prescott Park stage in 2010.
Anderson also revealed a couple of musical acts that will be performing in the festival’s concert series this year. Canadian blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Matt Andersen returns this summer, and banjo player Béla Fleck will make his first ever appearance at the park. As always, the suggested donation for all performances at the festival will be $5.
The festival’s board of directors is aiming to address noise issues that arose last year, when complaints about “Shrek” and other festival events spurred a city-wide debate about noise levels from outdoor entertainment in Portsmouth. In 2016, the stage will be moved back and reoriented to project more sound toward Peirce Island and away from residential neighborhoods, board president Bill Duncan announced. The stage will remain in its current location this year.
For more information about this year’s festival, including auditions for “Peter Pan,” visit prescottpark.org or call 603-436-2848.
At top of page: Festival director Ben Anderson announces this year’s musical production, Peter Pan The Musical.