Front row, left to right, Sarah Cuoco, Kellan Lockton, Sam Norbet, Kate Drury, Savannah Stevenson. Middle row, left to right, Callan Scott, Philippa Cavalier, Wild Handel, Ivan Howe, Lyra Wilder, Gilvey Barnett-Zunino. Back row, left to right, Wolf Donner, Drew Ledbetter, Sienna Rose Lyons, Mollie Leonard, Richie Crane, Alex Wilbur, C.C. Stevenson, Andrus Nichols, Caroline Lapinski.
The Sharon Playhouse YouthStage is presenting an original adaptation of “Peter Pan” by directors Andrus Nichols and Drew Ledbetter, set to open Dec. 17. The show will take place in the Bok Theater at the Sharon Playhouse and close Dec. 21.
This is the world premiere of this adaptation of “Peter Pan,” which entered the public domain in 2024. Nichols and Ledbetter are returning for their third year with Sharon Playhouse Youth after directing “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” in 2023 and “A Christmas Carol” in 2024. This is their first original adaptation with the Playhouse.
“The YouthStage is a great place to bring new work,” said Education and Community Director Michael Baldwin. He said the production is part of an effort to bring original material to local youth who hope to pursue theater in the future. Baldwin also said the production is an opportunity for collaborative theater between the Playhouse team and the youth performers. Rehearsals began in October, allowing time to shape the show as a collaborative whole.
The main cast consists of Ivan Howe as Peter Pan, Wild Handel as Wendy, Callan Scott as John, Philippa Cavalier as Michael, and Alex Wilbur as Hook. The ensemble includes Lyra Wilder as Slightly, Gilvey Barnett-Zunino as Tootles, Kate Drury as Nibs, Wolf Donner as Curly, Kellan Lockton as First Twin, Samuel Norbet as Second Twin, Sienna Rose Lyons as Skylights and Lily Starr, Richie Crane as Nana and Smee, Mollie Leonard as Cecco, Bill Jukes, Cookson, and Catastrophe June, and C.C. Stevenson as Starky and Noodler. These 15 cast members also serve as crew and were chosen through a competitive audition process.
“Peter Pan” will be the final show at the Playhouse this year. “On Wednesday, Jan. 14, we will unveil the MainStage and YouthStage titles for the Sharon Playhouse 2026 season. Be sure to check our digital channels for the exciting reveals,” Baldwin said. Registration for Summer YouthStage productions will be open from Jan. 27 to Feb. 5, 2026, and classes will be available at the Playhouse in January for people of all ages.
“The Sharon Playhouse is a real gem in our community, and I hope community members will attend as many shows as they can, take as many classes as they can, and support the Playhouse so it can thrive for years to come,” Baldwin said.
For more information about “Peter Pan” and next year at the Sharon Playhouse, visit sharonplayhouse.org.
This article has been updated to correct the name of co-director/co-adapter Drew Ledbetter and cast roles.
CORNWALL — At the recommendation of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, on Jan. 20 the Board of Selectmen voted to move forward with the purchase of two new trucks.
Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, located in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, was chosen as the manufacturer. Of the three bids received, Greenwood was the lowest bidder on the desired mini pumper and a rescue pumper.
CVFD’s Ian Ridgway sat on the truck committee and said Greenwood was not just chosen for the price, but also for the design of each vehicle. He said their models had a shorter wheelbase and more ground clearance, as well as extra storage space on board, compared to the next best bid.
After $100,000 in discounts offered by Greenwood, the combined purchase price for both vehicles was shown to be $1,200,408. The delivery time was estimated at 15 months.
CVFD raised $600,000 during its recent fundraising campaign, of which $500,000 will be given to the town to buy the trucks. That figure will be paired with $720,000 in town truck fund reserves. The additional donated funds will be used to outfit the trucks with equipment and tools.
“I want to praise the town of Cornwall,” said CVFD President Dick Sears. “We’re able to buy these beautiful new pieces of equipment courtesy of the tremendous citizenry of this town.”
FALLS VILLAGE — Robin Lee Roy, 62, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away Jan. 14, 2026.
She was a longtime CNA, serving others with compassion for more than 20 years before retiring from Heartland in Florida.
Robin loved the beach, sunshine, and gardening, and was known for her strength, humor, and unwavering support of those she loved.
She is survived by her daughter, Sierra R. Zinke, and brothers, Darren Roy and Todd Roy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sharon Thomkins Roy and Robert Roy, and her brother Nevin Roy.
No services will be held at this time.
SALISBURY — Marjorie A. Vreeland, 98, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizons, on Jan. 10, 2026.She was surrounded by her two loving children, Richard and Nancy.She was born in Bronxville, New York,on Aug. 9, 1927, to Alice (Meyer) and Joseph Casey, both of whom were deceased by the time she was 14. She attended public schools in the area and graduated from Eastchester High School in Tuckahoe and, in 1946 she graduated from The Wood School of Business in New York City.
At 19 years old, she married Everett W. Vreeland of White Plains, New York and for a few years they lived in Ithaca, New York, where Everett was studying to become a veterinarian at Cornell. After a short stint in Coos Bay, Oregon (Mike couldn’t stand the cloudy, rainy weather!) they moved back east to Middletown, Connecticut for three years where Dr. Vreeland worked for Dr. Pieper’s veterinary practice.In Aug. of 1955, Dr. and Mrs. Vreeland moved to North Kent, Connecticut with their children and started Dr. Vreeland’s Veterinary practice. In Sept. of 1968 Marjorie, or “Mike” as she wished to be called, took a “part-time job” at the South Kent School.She retired from South Kent 23 years later on Sept. 1, 1991.Aside from office help and bookkeeping she was secretary to the Headmaster and also taught Public Speaking and Typing.In other times she worked as an assistant to the Town Clerk in Kent, an office worker and receptionist at Ewald Instruments Corp. and as a volunteer at the Kent Library.
“Mike” loved the sun, sand and water and spent many summers at Westport Point, Massachusetts with the kids and their best friends, the Bauers.She was the consummate hostess, and a wonderful cook.She also appeared in several plays with The Sherman Players and also a show or two on special occasions at The Kent Community House.She took enjoyment from working outdoors doing chores around her home in North Kent.She lived in that house until she sold it and bought a condominium on North Main Street in Kent in May of 2003.She lived in the condo until 2018 after which her light began to fade and her last 8 years were spent comfortably at Noble Horizons.
“Mike” leaves behind her children, Richard (Susan) of Lakeville, her daughter Nancy Rutledge (Jim) of Salisbury; two grandchildren, Chandra Gerrard (Sean) of Litchfield, Matthew (Larissa) of Lakeville; three great grandchildren, Addison, Emilia and Everett, all of Lakeville.
She was predeceased by her beloved granddaughter Caroline in 2020.
All services are private.The Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville, is in charge of arrangements.
To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com
SALISBURY -— Rafael A. Porro, 88, of 4 Undermountain Road, passed away Jan. 6, 2026, at Sharon Hospital. Rafael was born on April 19, 1937 in Camaguey, Cuba the son of Jose Rafael Porro and Clemencia Molina de Porro. He graduated from the Englewood School for Boys in Englewood, New Jersey and attended Columbia University School of General Studies. Rafael retired as a law library clerk from the law firm of Curtis, Mallet Prevost in 2002 and came to live in Salisbury to be nearer to his sister, Chany Wells.
Rafael is survived by his sister, Chany Wells, his nephew Conrad Wells (Gillian), and by numerous cousins in North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, Arizona, Cuba and Canada. He was the eldest of the cousins and acknowledged family historian. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in June. Memorial contributions may be made to Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury and Scoville Memorial Library.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
