Plains-Paradise Players to host last play in Paradise

PARADISE – Marking the end of a long era of Paradise School plays, the Plains-Paradise Players will be performing their last performance of Peter Pan at the Paradise School.

The play features every child in the Paradise school as well as home schooled kids and other members from the community, some traveling from as far as California to help bring the last play to life.

Director Ruth Winkler has been directing plays for 40 years, her first play in Paradise was in 1991, putting on the performance of this same play.

Practice for this production began in February, with almost 50 people from all over the community putting their time and effort into the performance.

“There are so many kids that love to do this and we’re having a blast,” said Winkler. “The main thing is kids really enjoy doing it and we’re giving them that opportunity.”

After months of preparation, the kids began full rehearsals on Monday, preparing themselves for the upcoming live performances.

Winkler explained every child who wants a speaking part in the play, gets one, leaving no one left out. And if there are not enough lines in the script, more are created so everyone gets a chance to perform.

Although, the play Peter Pan was one of Winkler’s first performances at the Paradise School, this year Winkler had to recreate the costumes after losing them in a fire that took her home.

Captain Hook, who is traveling from California to be part of this production, and his sidekick Smee are played by Nueman and Jake Ryan; Jubal and Taralee Ryan play Peter Pan and Wendy. Plainly Speaking Toastmasters, plus Casey Thompson and Paradise teacher Shana Smith will be the fierce pirates, who in the end are defeated by a band of Indians headed up by Lydia French. In addition, the play includes a flock of lost boys, a covey of mermaids, a “doodle doo” and a crocodile. Tinker Bell is played by the four year old Olivia Miller, who will most likely steal the show.

The play will take place on Thursday, April 11 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. with another showing on Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m.

The event is free to the public; however, donations are accepted to help with the cost of the costumes.