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Here’s my new favorite Captain Hook joke. Now you know that us Scandihoovians tell a lot of jokes. However, we make no claim that any of them are actually funny…..

A pirate walked into a bar and the bartender said, “Hey, I haven’t seen you in a while. What happened? You look terrible.
“What do you mean?” said the pirate, “I feel fine.”
Bartender: “What about the wooden leg? You didn’t have that before.”
Pirate: “Well, we were in a battle and I got hit with a cannon ball, but I’m fine now.”
Bartender: “Well, okay, but what about that hook? What happened to your hand?”
Pirate: “We were in another battle. I boarded a ship and got into a sword fight. My hand was cut off. I got fitted with a hook. I’m fine, really.”
Bartender: “What about that eye patch?”
Pirate: “Oh, one day we were at sea and a flock of birds flew over. I looked up and one of them did a dump and it hit me in my eye.”
“You’re kidding,” said the bartender, “you couldn’t lose an eye just from bird droppings.”
Pirate: “It was my first day with the hook.”Â

Here’s a simple way to do live sound effects for Tinkerbell in stage productions of Peter Pan.

Use a colored laser pointer for Tinkerbell, preferably a professional projector made specifically for this effect (you can rent these). In the picture above you’ll see a nose flute, kazoo, metal chain to rustle for tinkle effects, a mouth buzzer and an inexpensive slide whistle.

Use these together to create realistic Tinkerbell audio fx while running the projection system. Tinkerbell is sometimes happy with light hearted buzzing sounds and sometimes angry with aggravated buzz type sounds. The slide whistle is good for “yes” and “no” responses to Peter Pan dialogue.

Since these are lighter ambient type sounds, you’ll probably want to use a condensor microphone, not a dynamic mic. If you don’t understand that, your sound engineer will. Just tell him “condensor mic”.

Total cost for Tinkerbell sound props is under twenty five dollars.

You can rent a professional Tinkerbell laser beam projector from ZFX, Inc at www.zfxflying.com

Here are sound effects I created for Peter Pan for use in live stage productions. These were layered live to the stage action using a laptop computer with a virtual synthesizer triggered from a midi keyboard. Some of the effects, like the overture, are left sparse in sections to allow layers of other sounds over the top.

Most of the sounds layer well together even if tracks are in different keys. For instance, the Peter Pan flute theme can play over the top of most samples, as well as the bell melodies.

Peter Pan Fairy BKG Chimes MP3
Background shimmering chimes with lullabye music box. Segues and backdrop for happy flying sequences to layer with other sounds. Also a good “safety” that will fit any scene.

War - Indian Drums MP3

will finish post later

Here are costume and set photos from the Theater Arts Guild (Skagit County, WA) production of Peter Pan at Skagit Valley College.

PETER PAN 2006 - Cast Photo

PETER PAN

NANA - DOG

PIRATES

CAPTAIN HOOK

SMEE

CAST PIRATES

FEMALE PIRATES

INDIANS

MERMAIDS

LOST BOYS - TWINS

PETER PAN’S SHADOW
See through gauze with sprinkles cut in shape of Peter Pan

CROCODILE - Tick Tock

FLY RIGGING

PETER PAN STAGE SET DESIGNS

UNDERGROUND

DARLING HOUSE STAIRCASE

DARLING HOUSE SET - VIEW FROM BOX SEATS

My Sound Effects Station
Using Kontakt Software triggering custom sound effects

MICROPHONE CUE SHEET FOR SOUND ENGINEER

McIntyre Hall - Skagit Valley College
View of Peter Pan Stage from Sound Control Booth

McIntyre Hall Sound Booth from Box Seats

Jerry Fortier - Sound Engineer

Thank you to Brian Hurst for doing website vocal overdubs for me. We were recording overdubs for a production of Peter Pan; he plays Captain Hook in the show. His Hook accent is just too much fun not to use for other things. I’ll keep the overdubs up for a while until I get too many complaints.

And for the record, Brian Hurst is the ULTIMATE Captain Hook actor. Pretty incredible. Check my Peter Pan section for pictures from the show.

My Piano Nocturnes! I had forgotten about them. While doing sound effects for Peter Pan I needed a melancholy lullabye played on piano for the final scene - didn’t quite have time to compose a piece for it and then I remembered: The Nocturnes!

These were all improvised live in a church sanctuary deep in the night. These are my original pieces. One starts off like Moonlight Sonata, but takes a different path.. You will definately hear the Bach influence on the pieces. I am very proud of them and if you don’t like them, then you are a stinky codfish.

My favorites are #1 and #2 - I put them first so I wouldn’t have to waste time on the CD to hear them.

Piano Nocturne 1 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 2 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 3 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 4 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 5 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 6 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 7 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 8 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 9 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 10 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 11 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 12 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 13 - MP3

Piano Nocturne 14 - MP3

My friend Deb Carole sat in the Sanctuary while I played these and would give me input. It was a great evening and a memory I treasure. I improvise a lot like this late at night in a sanctuary, but this is the only time I recorded. Someone asked me recently if I ever practice at church late at night and just go nuts. The answer is yes, all the time. When I’m finished it’s a feeling like no other, always a feeling of peace and serenity - like what a Marathon runner must feel after a good workout.

My favorite is to do Bach style improvisations, they get very fast and would probably not please most ears I think. But at those times I don’t have to play for anyone else, just me and Thee.

Peter Pan - Presented by the Theater Arts Guild (TAG) at McIntyre Hall (Mount Vernon, WA), November 17-26, 2006.

Flying effects by ZFX, Inc.

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CAST - In order of appearance

NANA - Hydee Garman
Michael Darling - Alyssa Nelson
Mrs. Darling - Nicola Pearson
John Darling - Alex Ragusa
Wendy Darling - Taylor Frizzell
Mr. Darling - Brian Young
Peter Pan - Sarah Tsinger
Tinker Bell - Carly Stewart
Liza - Andrea Talley
Faires - Molly Frahm, Connor Nelson, Corin Pierce, Kaytin Rooney, Sophie Stewart

Wolves/Audience/Cabin Boys - Eva Givens, Hayden Idom, Gus Kidane, Trevin Rudy

Lost Boys - Emma Eliason, Cameron Frahm, James Matson, Jason Miller, Annie Murray, Alice Pollock, Greg Pollock, Reid Wells

Captain Hook - Brian Hurst
Smee - James Lindsey
Gentlemen Starkey - Brian Young
Cecco - Thomas Young
Billie Jukes - Brydie Landreth
Noodler - Jeff Huschka
Mullins - Matthias Struck
Cookson - Pete Grace
Pirates - Kevin Cobley, Susan Cook, Nathan Hamer, Kraut, Roger Ragusa

Pirate Wenches - Kathy Dean, Ann Klitzke-Nelson, Susan Watson

Tiger Lily - Felisha Palomera
Panther - Stefan Vanden Kooy
Warriors - Mikalah Barem, Shelby Burkhart, Rose Drummond, Rachel Huschka, Madison Idom, Maria Matson, Francesca Ragusa, Lourdes Young

Mermaids - Alisha Anderson, Ann-Kristin Becker, Sarah Damstra, Demi Fair, Chloe Roberts, Rachael Young

Crocodile - Dave Needy
Older Wendy - Alisha Anderson

TECHNICAL CREW

Producers - Ellen Palmer, Bruce Vilders
Director - Dianne Goddard
Assistant to Director - Kathy Dean
Stage Manager - Brian Paxton
Assistant Stage Manager - Emma Lynn
Set Coordinator - Steve Craig
Technical Director - Don Willcuts
Carpenters - Philip Brown, Steve Craig, Howie, Don Willcuts
Costume Designer - Cathy Pfahl
Light Designer - Seajay Winters
Sound Designer - Jerry Fortier
Sound Effects Designer - Conrad Askland
Prop Designers - Shari Lindberry, Carole Lindberry, Fred Hastings
Make-up Designer - Seajay Winters
Tinkerbell Engineer - Martha McDade
Sound Engineer - Adam Lynn
Light Board Operator - Steve Fisher
Spot Operator - Wes Furlong
Paint Crew - Howie, Carrie James, Dave James, Sharon Litton, Suzanne McLamb, Norman Rogue, Ellen Palmer, Dorothy Peth, Jen Spence, Bruce Vilders, Seajay Winters

Fly Rail Crew - Spencer Desmarais, Howie, Dave Mumford, Nate Young
Running Crew - Spencer Desmarais, Alisha Huschka, Suzanne McLamb, Jim Nelson, Kelly Pollino, Emily Watilo, Wes Furlong, Jordan Lange

Aerial Crew - Spencer Desmarais, Jim Nelson, Roger Ragusa, Matt Struck, Dave Mumford, Nate Young

Props Crew - Amanda Curtis, Carol Garman
Hair/Make-up Supervisor - Patty Idom
Make-Up Crew - Daniel Davidge, Esther Ramirez, Amy Vermulm

Costume Crew - Jann Barem, Jill Eliason, Lu Parker, Leslie Crawford, Anne Clarke, Cast and their families

Volunteer Coordinator - Ann Klitzke-Nelson
Fight Choreographer - Bruce Vilders
Aerial Choreographer - JoAnne Craig
Warrior Choreographer - Lourdes Young
Poster Design - Scott McDade
Bio/Underwriting Boards - Jann Barem and Mikalah Barem
Flying effects provided by ZFX, Inc.
Thank you to Russ Morgan from ZFX
2006 Theater Arts Guild
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cathy Pfahl - President
Scott McDade - Vice President
Ellen Palmer - Secretary
John Cheney - Treasure
Harold Paige
Conrad Askland
Molly McNulty
Ann Klitzke-Nelson
Susan Watson
Brian Paxton
Carl K. Turner
Jane E. Skinner
Roger Ragusa
Jann Barem
Bruce Vilders
Eileen Butler
Pat Shreve
Karen Marshall
Dianne Goddard
Clarence Holden

Peter Pan opens at McIntyre Hall (Mount Vernon, WA) on November 17, 2006 for a two week run. More info at the Theater Arts Guild website. Peter Pan will fly and battle Captain Hook!
Tickets: 360-416-7727
www.mcintyrehall.org
Friday Nov 17 7:30 pm
Saturday - $10 bargain show* Nov 18 2:00 pm
Saturday Nov 18 7:30 pm
Sunday Nov 19 2:00 pm
Wednesday - $10 bargain show* Nov 22 7:30 pm
Friday Nov 24 2:00 pm
Friday Nov 24 7:30 pm
Saturday Nov 25 2:00 pm
Saturday Nov 25 7:30 pm
Sunday Nov 26 2:00 pm

*Important Bargain Show Limitations: Festival Seating. No Advance Sale. Tickets are sold at the box office ONLY, 2 hours prior to show time.

Here are some samples of set design for the Cathy Rigby production of Peter Pan and closeup of swords for Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tiger Lily. These set designs and props are available from ZFXFLYING.com, as well as updated new set designs from ZFXFLYING.

ZFX Flying has a very fun website and I encourage you to visit it. They do fx for Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz and many other shows including “Matrix” type flying fx.

Tiger Lily Sword

Sword for Peter Pan

Captain Hook Sword and Hook

Johnny Corkscrew Sword

All Swords - available from ZFX Flying

Underground Set Design

Pirate Ship Set Designs

Photo of Peter Pan Nursery

Peter Pan Neverland Set Ideas

Jolly Roger Scrim for Peter Pan Productions

If you’re doing a production of Peter Pan you might be interested in going the extra mile and do some flying fx. See my previous post about FLY BY FOY - or visit them directly at the FlyByFoy website.

There’s another great resource at the www.zfxflying.com website. They have very good video samples posted that show Cathy Rigby in performance and rehearsal flying. Also accompanying sound effects that are good references if you’re designing sound foley for flying sequences.

From the ZFXFLYING.com website:

Founded in 1994, ZFX has delivered a fresh perspective to the ancient craft of flying using a new dynamic style. ZFX quickly became an industry leader and one of the top flying companies in the world with offices on two continents. Proudly, we have over 30 employees around the globe with experts in their field including flying directors, choreographers and even performers.

Growing from a handful of dedicated craftsmen and artists, ZFX continues to maintain our small-company attitude treating each client as if they were our only. This allows us to focus on even the tiniest of details for each production whether it be a community theater or a Broadway show.
ZFX flies over 200 different productions annually and we continue to set the industry standard for customer service!

How does Peter Pan fly through the air during live theatre shows? Find out at flybyfoy.com - one of the originators for stage flight, and one of the earliest pro theatre flight crews to work on Peter Pan.

Skagit County’s Theatre Arts Guild has hired Fly By Foy to provide all flight fx for their November 2006 performances of Peter Pan at McIntyre Hall, Mount Vernon, WA.

Currently they have large touring, medium professional, church and community theatre projects going on throughout the United States. Checkout their website for more info at flybyfoy.com

In talking to other people about Foy, it would seem they are recognized as the only company in America providing special fly effects for theatre - specifically for Peter Pan and the Wizard of Oz. For the Wizard of Oz they have a dedicated ballon basket that rises up for the final scene.

The company was started by Peter Foy. Here’s an excerpt on his background:
In 1950, a young Englishman named Peter Foy sailed from London’s West End to stage the flying for a Broadway production of Peter Pan, starring Jean Arthur and Boris Karloff. Foy’s services and the flying equipment were provided by Kirby’s Flying Ballets, a British company hired by the show’s producers after they discovered that virtually no theatrical flying had been performed in the United States for more than two decades.

Past well known Peter Pan lead actresses include:

Sandy Duncan

Mary Martin

Jean Arthur

Cathy Rigby

Mount Vernon, Washington - Auditions for Peter Pan will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 6th & Thursday, Sept. 7th at 6 pm, 7 pm, and 8 pm both nights.
Callbacks will held on Saturday, September 9th.
Rehearsals begin September 11th.
This is the non-musical version.

PERFORMANCE DATES, McIntyre Hall 2006:

Nov. 17, 18 (2 shows), 19, 22, 24 (2), 25 (2), 26

AUDITION APPOINTMENTS

Visit http://theaterartsguild.org for audition contact info.
AUDITION LOCATION: 124 S.12th St., Mount Vernon (1/2 block south of Division Street, near Skagit Valley Hospital)

(NOTE: Actors auditioning for Peter, Wendy, John and Michael must be in good physical condition and be unafraid of heights.)

REMEMBER …
Peter Pan will run for two weekends only, November 17th through 26th, 2006, at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon.

For more info visit http://theaterartsguild.org

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

The classic story of Peter Pan, the boy who would not grow up, has delighted audiences for 100 years. First written by J.M. Barrie as a stage play, then adapted by Barrie as a book, then the animated film by Disney, then morphed into the popular musical, the story is familiar to almost everyone. Actors auditioning for this play are urged to read the play or the book prior to auditions. Several movies have portrayed Peter Pan, including the Disney animated film, “Hook” with Dustin Hoffman in that role, “Peter Pan’ a 2001 adaptation, and “Finding Neverland”.

The TAG production is the non-musical play, and the cast will have between 40 and 60 people. The production will include special effects enough to give our cast members advanced training in theater technology, including a Tinkerbell laser, fog, Peter’s dancing shadow, a sinking Tiger Lily, pixie dust, sword fights, and, of course, flying.

For the part of Peter and the Lost Boys, we will audition both boys and girls; however, a boy age approximately 12 to 13 is preferred for Peter. We will not cast a small woman in the part of Peter as is normally done in the musical version. The Mermaids will be girls between the ages of 13 and 25 (or so). Pirates will be actors of all ages, including women as pirate wenches. Actors auditioning for pirates should leave their inhibitions at home.

Actors need to prepare a monologue or poem no more than 2 minutes in length. Callbacks will be Saturday, September 9th, and rehearsals start Monday, September 11th. Rehearsals will be from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday through Thursday with some Saturday rehearsals for Peter and his Shadow. For one or two days the week prior to opening (November 13th to 17th) the actors playing Peter, Wendy, John, and Michael may need to be excused from school early to perfect their flying, since this effect requires practice with a professional crew in order for everyone to be comfortable and safe. The flying effects are being produced by the company Flying by Foy.

CAST

The cast of speaking parts is as follows: (in order of appearance)

Nana (a dog played by a child)
Michael Darling
Mrs. Darling
John Darling
Wendy Darling
Mr. Darling
Liza the maid for the Darlings
Peter Pan
Peter Pan’s shadow
Tinker Bell (played by a laser)
Fairies
Lost Boys
Slightly
Tootles
Nibs
Curly
First and Second Twins
Captain Hook
Pirates
Cecco
Bill Jukes
Cookson
Gentleman Starkey
Skylights
Noodles
Smee
Crocodile
Tiger Lily
Panther
And little fairies, pirates, Indians, mermaids, birds, and animals
We may also use some child actors to be in the audience for Pirates to drag up on stage!

For more info visit http://theaterartsguild.org