WELLS ─ Think of all the joy you’ll find when you leave the world behind and join the Wells Junior High School Drama Program in this spring’s production of “Peter Pan Jr.,” a Music Theatre International performance.

Under the compassionate and insightful direction of Josie Perkins, with musical direction by the Rev. Jeffrey Patnaude, the cast and the backstage crew of roughly 60 students are not only hoping to entertain the community with comedic dance and harmonized song but embark on a monumental project that aims to benefit hungry families in need.

This magical tale of youthful innocence and bravery mixed with humor opens Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. in the Ward Gymnasium at WJHS with additional shows on Friday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday,, March 30 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $5 at the door with doors opening 30 minutes before each performance.  Those attending are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to help the cast and crew support families in need within the community.

Roughly one in five children in Maine does not know when or where their next meal may arrive? This year’s musical provides the perfect opportunity to fight this hunger epidemic. In keeping with the play’s charitable tradition, non-perishable food items will be accepted at the door before each show.

These donations will help fill the school-based pantry as part of the new Backpack Program at WJHS, spear-headed by Principal AJ Dufort and inspired by the previously established initiative that has seen rewarding success at Wells Elementary School.

“It can be devastating for children who have come to rely on the elementary school backpack nutritional aid to enter the junior high and suddenly find themselves food insecure again,” said Heather Sittig, a proud parent of one of the show’s actors as well as a community volunteer and member of the Wells-Ogunquit CSD School Committee. “Kids at this age have enough other stressors that consume their lives (and) being hungry should not be one of them,” director Josie Perkins said. “This is how we give back to our community as global citizens.”

For more information, call 646-5142, or send an email to the Drama Program team at WJHSDramaProgram@gmail.com.

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