When I was a kid, my father had the idea to take our family to our first theatrical production. His father had taken him to many shows. He also went to see Peter Pan when he was eight years old as a guest of his older brother who was the concessions manager at the Boston Opera House. Peter Pan was the first show my father had seen and it was time to pass on this tradition. The show he took us to was Peter Pan starring Sandy Duncan at the Metropolitan Center (now called the Wang Theatre). I sat in the center orchestra section down front and was mesmerized when Sandy Duncan flew right over our heads. I have always loved music and dancing, so I was very impressed with Tiger Lily’s dancing.
After seeing the show, I didn’t know that theatre was something that could be a part of my life. The show didn’t make me want to sing, dance or perform. The show made me want to fly. I made a harness out of macrame cord and began swinging in circles around the tree in our front yard. I didn’t realize at the time that this was the beginning of my parents supporting and encouraging any crazy ideas that I had.
Eventually I found theatre or theatre found me, either way it was inevitable. Through the encouragement of many friends and fellow theatre lovers, I eventually began directing. It is a thrill and an honor to direct Peter Pan for the Norwood Theatre. My life has circled back to where it all began. I wish I could go back in time and tell younger Michael that he would someday be directing a production of Peter Pan with such a creative production team, dedicated crew and super talented performers. He wouldn’t have believed me. We have really enjoyed adding our creative touches to this production and passing this story on to a new generation.
We hope you enjoy the show half as much as we have enjoyed putting it together for you. Sit back and relax and let us take you to Neverland. Just think of lovely things and your heart will fly on wings. Forever in Never Never Land. To everyone who made it possible for me to be a part of this experience, thank you for teaching me to fly.
-Michael Hammond
