On Dec. 13 and 14, the Dunkirk Middle School invites Dunkirk and the surrounding communities to join the Lost Boys and never grow up when its students perform Peter Pan JR., it was announced today by Drew Cohen, president of Music Theatre International (MTI). Based on J.M. Barrie’s enchanting play, “Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up,” Peter Pan JR. is a modern version of the timeless tale about the adventures of a mischievous boy.

The musical features music by Morris (Moose) Charlap with additional music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh with additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The show was originally directed, choreographed and adapted by Jerome Robbins.

“Peter Pan JR. is a story which encourages each of us to reconnect with the spirit of youth,” says Cohen. “MTI applauds the students from Dunkirk Middle School as they find their own unique way to express what joy, freedom, adventure and imagination means in adolescence,” he adds. MTI, through its Broadway Junior† division, works with the authors of classic musicals to create special editions suitable for students to perform.

“[Ringing Bell Sound],” adds Tinker Bell. *At press time Peter Pan was not available to translate for Tinker Bell.

Dunkirk Middle School presents Peter Pan JR. on Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Dunkirk Middle School. 525 Eagle St., Dunkirk. Tickets are available pre-sale at Big Rick’s One Stop and the DMS main office, or at the door. Tickets are just $5 a piece.

In Peter Pan JR. Wendy, Michael and John Darling meet and befriend Peter Pan when the mysterious boy and a fairy named Tinker Bell enter their nursery in search of Peter’s lost shadow.

Peter whisks his new friends away to Neverland, an island with “hardly any space between one adventure and the other.” There, Peter introduces the Darling children to his fellow Lost Boys, children who – like Peter – never grow up. The crew launches into a great adventure where they encounter Brave Girls, led by the incredible Tiger Lily, and Pirates led by the dreaded Captain Hook. Challenges ensue when the Darling children are ensnared in Captain Hook’s sinister plan to seek revenge on Peter.

Peter Pan JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com.

Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker in 1952, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form.

MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 70,000 professional, community and school theaters in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide.

MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’ s Broadway Junior† shows are 30 and 60-minute musicals for elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.

Questions should be directed to Kim Levan at Dunkirk Middle School, 366-9300.