Aquinas students perform ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’ in Hampton

Middle school students at Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh in Hampton performed “Peter Pan and Wendy,” a play by Doug Rand, during two November performances in the Rhodora J. Donahue Multipurpose Building.

Rand’s work is based closely on the original play and novel “Peter and Wendy” by J.M. Barrie,

With a cast of 54 middle school students, director Mike Flynn brought to the stage the story of Peter Pan, the one boy who doesn’t grow up, and Wendy, the girl who does.

Lead roles were played by eighth-graders Alice Dingle (Mrs. Darling), John Dolan (Peter Pan), Veronica Fowler (Wendy), Fionn McGinley (Capt. Hook), Matt McGrath (Mr. Darling), Ava Repasky (Tinkerbelle) and Jack Stanton (John), and seventh-grader Michael Richthammer (Michael).

Flynn, in his 36th drama show at Aquinas, relied on middle and high school students serving in leadership roles in production: Felicity Koble (ninth grade, accompanist), Clara Yuo (10th grade, choral director), Ashlin Knox (10th grade, choreography), Joseph Chufo (10th grade, choreography), Gabby Keverline (sixth grade, choreography), Lucy Keverline (eighth grade, choreography), Mia Russell (12th grade, stage manager), Veronica Mylott (12th grade, stage manager and makeup), Nick Urban (10th grade, sound), Sam VanVickle (eighth grade, Lights) and Julia Meland (12th grade, makeup).

Aquinas art teacher Brady Buchanan worked with first-grade teacher aide Gina Liguori on the set production. High school teachers Rosemary Meland and Ellen Kaffenes were in charge of costumes.

“This is my third time directing this particular adaptation, and I learn something new about the characters each time I have directed it,” Flynn said. “Each cast brings their own unique gifts to the characters they play. This particular cast brought remarkable energy to this particular production. They were a joy to work with.”