Writer discovers what it means to be free

Reporter flies like Peter Pan as Strand prepares popular tale

BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

LAKEWOOD – Hoisted 18 feet in the air with only a very tight single-point harness holding me, I flew like Peter Pan and experienced a brief moment of freedom. With my legs dangling and my body swinging, I stretched my arms out like a bird and was swung on cables by two strong men, dressed in black, called operators.

I closedmy eyes for a split second just to imagine it and despite the professional crew who controlled the experience as they strapped me into the harness in the absence of fairy dust, I felt truly free. Free of my "to do" list and the responsibilities adults have to bear. Free of the stress and life-changing decisions grownups must make. Free.

In that moment, swinging across the stage of the historic Strand Theater, I was Peter Pan. I was eternally young and flying in the imaginary place of Neverland. Carefree, weightless and able to fly. I was and still am the perennial child who never wanted to grow up.

In my time up in the air – provided by the technical crew that is currently staging "Peter Pan" at the Strand – I enjoyed the fleeting freedom, at least until I openedmy eyes and felt my feet land on the hard cold floor of reality. I had returned tomy old self, the adult, and had the burden of carrying on with the rest of my day. The rest of my life.

My experience encapsulates the universal message that is delivered in this timeless classic, which is that someday we all have to grow up, it is a life process, the physical, mental and spiritual journey to the evolution of our true selves.

Artistic Director Jan Topoleski tries to stay very close to the details and story of the original "Peter Pan," written by James M. Barrie, the Scottish novelist and playwright.

According to Topoleski, the production of "Peter Pan" now being presented at the Strand will appeal to everyone because "we all have that child inside of us. The story conveys a universal theme of growing pains and the sorrow of the loss of innocence."

Acast of 35 will bring the story to life on the stage of the Strand.

Although the character of Peter Pan is a mischievous boy who flies and refuses to grow up, traditionally the character has been played on stage by an adult woman.

Gina Lupi, 42, of Freehold, is Peter Pan. She has acted for more than 30 years.

"I was generally looking to do something very fun and very family friendly. This role is totally out of my comfort zone and different from what I am used to playing, which is darker, deeper, bigger, broader, over-thetop (characters)," Lupi said.

She said the show "is going to be spectacular. The venue is magnificent and it is one of only a few community theaters that has the resources to do it justice."

Laura Bembridge, 18, of the Performing Arts Academy of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School, is playing Wendy, the child Peter Pan recruits to be his mother.

Tyler Fallon, 16, who attends Marlboro High School, is playing the role of John, one of Wendy’s brothers. Tyler who has been acting since the fifth grade and has appeared in productions of "The Sound of Music" and "Scrooge."

"This is a great show with an all-around exciting story line. It’s a play the whole family will enjoy," he said.

Brandon Fallon, 11, who attends the Frank Defino Central School, Marlboro, is playing the role of Michael, Wendy’s other sibling.

Brandon said he was inspired to act after watching his older brother, Tyler, perform. Although Brandon has only been performing for about three years, he has appeared in shows such as "The Music Man," "Scrooge" and "Tom Sawyer."

"Peter Pan" will be presented at the Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, on April 4, 5 and 12 at 8 p.m. and April 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $27 for adults and $22 for seniors and students. For more information call (732) 367- 7789 or visit www.strandlakewood.com.