Jacob Strietelmeier, as Peter Pan, during a dress rehearsal by North Drama for their production of Tinker Bell at the Judson Erne Auditorium in Columbus North High School, Columbus, Ind. Thursday, April 6, 2023.
Actress Molly Hotek figured she could spread her creative and literal costumed wings in the leading role of a stage prequel titled “Tinker Bell.” And for a fairy simple reason.
“This role in particular was something that I was after, because I was really looking forward to the character’s feistiness — a character able to spin on a dime with all these varying emotions,” Hotek said. “At one point, for example, she’s very happy, but within the turn of the next sentence, all of a sudden she’s very angry, so I’m getting to portray all these very big feelings.”
So it is in Columbus North High School’s spring show Friday through Sunday at Judson Erne Auditorium, 1400 25th St. Scottsburg resident Robert Deirth is directing the production highlighting a new perspective on Peter Pan — one from the angle of Tinker Bell’s side of the story.
When all the fairies in Neverland start dying, Tinker Bell comes to London to find a friend, according to online summaries. There she meets a young boy named Peter Pan who has just run away from his family so he can be a little boy forever and have fun. When Tink takes Peter to Neverland, all sorts of wonderful and amazing things happen: flowers grow, animals appear and pirates arrive. But as Peter brings more Lost Boys and the Darling children back to her island, Tink finds she doesn’t like sharing her friend with anyone else.
Interestingly, Hotek’s first stage role ever was as a child in Mill Race Players’ “Peter Pan” as part of the pirate chorus. She’s happy, though, to be presenting something other than “Peter Pan” this time around.
“We’re doing the story from a different perspective,” she said. “And I think it’s important to look at other perspectives. Because most of us are very familiar with one side of this story. But we don’t always know the other side. And getting to look at it from another’s point of view is a very, very unique thing.”
The actress believes that productions such as this one can be just as significant and important as Shakespeare, which the drama department presented just last year.
“There can be a similar kind of message (in general), but now it’s just wrapped up in this package that’s maybe a little more accessible to a greater audience,” Hotek said.
That greater audience is something that can be a rarity for a high school production — families with young children, especially given that the presentation runs a rather brisk 75 minutes, which can be perfect for shorter attention spans.
“It’s really cute, and it’s really fun,” said Justine Lykins, the show’s technical director. “This such a good, family-friendly show. I think the kids will be able to sit through that. And I think both kids and adults will like this.”
About the show
What: Columbus North High School’s presentation of “Tinker Bell,” by Patrick Flynn, based on the works of J.M. Barrie.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: North’s Judson Erne Auditorium, 1400 25th St.
Tickets: northdrama.seatyourself.biz/
