threesixty° entertainment announces J M Barrie's
A Theatrical Adventure Performed in The threesixty° Theatre
at the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center
CHICAGO (Feb. 1, 2011) – Broadway In Chicago and threesixty° entertainment are excited to announce the spectacular new threesixty° stage production of PETER PAN, J M Barrie’s classic story performed in a state-of-the-art theater tent for a limited eight-week engagement beginning Friday, April 29, 2011. Conceived by an award-winning creative team and featuring 23 actors, stunning puppets, epic music, dazzling flying sequences and the world’s first 360-degree CGI theater set, PETER PAN is an extraordinary experience.
One of the most striking elements of this new production is the setting in which it is presented. The threesixty° Theatre, a 1,300 seat theater tent, allows for performance “in the round” and will stand at the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center North at 650 W. Chicago Avenue (at Halsted).
The entire interior of the tent is lit with more than 15,000 square feet of Hi-Resolution video -- three times the size of Imax screens -- so that both cast and audience are immersed in a CGI Neverland. When Peter and Wendy fly to Neverland, the audience flies with them over 400 square miles of virtual London and beyond.
"The Tribune is thrilled to be hosting such an outstanding family oriented production on the grounds of the Freedom Center. This location allows us the opportunity to showcase unique and exciting events in the heart of our great city," said Tony Hunter, President, Publisher and CEO, Chicago Tribune Media Group.
The threesixty° PETER PAN first captivated audiences in London, where it started performances on May 26, 2009 in Kensington Gardens, where J M Barrie was first inspired to write the story. It played a sixteen-week sold-out engagement to 200,000 people – including a Royal Gala for the Prince’s Trust for Children and the Arts, attended by their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (Prince Charles and Camilla).
In addition, an impressive parade of international celebrities enthusiastically attended with their families throughout the summer. The U.S. premiere was on April 27, 2010, at Ferry Park on the Embarcadero in San Francisco.
Theater patrons are also encouraged as well to enhance their trip to Neverland with food and beverage available in the Pavilion. (Please note however no outside food or beverage is allowed on site). At some performances, the audience can begin their journey even before the performance commences. PETER PAN is accompanied by a behind the scenes “Into Neverland” tour given weekly.
Robert Butters, threesixty° producer, said, “We are excited that Peter Pan and The threesixty° Theatre will be performing in Chicago next year. Chicago is a highly respected theater town and we are excited to bring our innovative production to Chicago theater-goers. The Chicago Tribune Freedom Center allows us to bring Peter Pan to a new exciting place in the city and attract new audiences to the theater.”
threesixty° entertainment, a theatrical production company based in London with Charlie Burnell, Matthew Churchill, and Robert Butters as principals, commissioned a first class creative team to develop this production of PETER PAN. The cast of PETER PAN features members of the original London production joined by American actors, making it a truly international company.
One of the London Observer’s “Hot 10 Must Do” events for 2009, the show was described by The Daily Express as "An immensely thrilling ride. A gem to be enjoyed whether you are 8, 18 or 80." Robert Hurwitt in the San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “As promised, the high- and low-tech special effects in the threesixty° Theatre are spectacular and highly entertaining. Richard Stayton in the Los Angeles Times wrote, “A multimedia, immersive “Peter Pan” provides enough spectacle and aerial acrobatics to compete with any Cirque show. It is the ultimate kid-friendly environment for the ultimate kid-friendly play — tiered rows near the stage locate every playgoer within a 360-degree circle of action, providing intimate close-ups of the performers and sensational CGI flying simulations and spectacular video projections.” David Littlejohn in the Wall St. Journal said that PETER PAN is “unforgettable. Visually dazzling. Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and her two brothers fly against an unbelievably complex computer-generated cyclorama.
Peter Pan, The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up was created by Scottish novelist and playwright J M Barrie. One night, Peter flies into the London nursery of the Darling children, Wendy, John and Michael, teaches them to fly and leads them to the magical Neverland, "second to the right and straight on till morning," where they live with Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys and meet the notorious Captain Hook.
The tale of Peter Pan has been adapted many times since then including the Walt Disney animated film and a Broadway musical. However, it was not until this 2009 production, presented by threesixty° entertainment, that a production was performed in London’s Kensington Gardens, where J M Barrie was first inspired to create him and where the original statue of Peter Pan has stood since 1912. This 21st century PETER PAN mixes history and magic in equal measure to present a Peter Pan story for adults and children alike.
PETER PAN, directed by Ben Harrison and designed by William Dudley, is adapted by Tanya Ronder from the Barrie story, with music composed by Benjamin Wallfisch. Dudley has received more theatre awards and accolades in the United Kingdom than any theatre artist save Judi Dench. Choreography is by Fleur Darkin, sound design by Gregory Clarke, lighting design by Mark Henderson, fight direction by Nicholas Hall, puppetry design by Sue Buckmaster and illusions by Paul Kieve.
By arrangement with the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and Samuel French Limited, this production of PETER PAN is produced by Charlie Burnell, Matthew Churchill, and Robert Butters for threesixty° entertainment.
About this production of PETER PAN:
· 12 projectors, delivering 360 degree projection
· 10 million pixels
· 15,000 square feet of CGI
· 400 square miles of virtual London circa 1904 were rendered
· The largest surround CGI venue in the world
· The world’s first fully 360-degree projected movie for live theater performance
· The tent, which stands 100 feet high, was shipped via boat, 6,000 miles from London to San Francisco.
· 200 computers took four weeks to create the images - it would have taken eight years for a single computer to render
Tickets are on-sale now for performances April 29 – June 19. Individual tickets range in price from $20 to $75. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages are available, which include a prime seat location, a Chicago tote bag and a commemorative souvenir program. Tickets are available online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com and peterpantheshow.com and by phone at 888-PPANTIX. For groups of 15 or more, call (312) 977‐1710. Special behind-the-scenes “Into Neverland” tours will be available Wednesdays throughout the run.
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