Tracey Flye, Director of holiday panto PETER’S FINAL FLIGHT, in conversation with SesayArts

Cue the boos: there’s news this holiday season that even trumps Santa Claus coming to town: Ross Petty has come out of retirement to play the dastardly Captain Hook in a holiday panto one last time. 

Literally generations of Toronto-area young people have delighted in booing his every smirk and sneer on stage. And, as attested by the extended standing ovation he received from a tearful audience during his curtain call on opening night, they’re delighted to return with their own children and extended families.   

Yes, for the past 25 years, Ross Petty Productions has built an Ontario holiday tradition of fun-filled family musicals that turn popular children’s stories and fairy tales into participatory experiences for contemporary, multigenerational audiences. And over the years, the Ross Petty Pantos have featured a “Who’s who” of Canadian stars, including Karen Kain, Kurt Browning, Bret “Hitman” Hart, Ernie “Mr. Dressup” Coombs, Don Harron, Fred Penner, Scott Thompson, Jake Epstein, Chilina Kennedy, CHFI’s Erin Davis, and HGTV’s Hilary Farr. 

Alas, all good things must come to an end. This year’s production, PETER’S FINAL FLIGHT: The PAN-Tastical Family Musical! directed and choreographed by Tracey Flye, with music director Bob Foster, marks the end of the company’s quarter-century run. 

Written by Matt Murray, the premise for this year’s story goes something like this . . . Ever since Peter Pan (Alex Wierzbicki) defeated Captain Hook, Neverland has enjoyed a long run of peace, quiet and lawn bowling, thanks to fairy Plumbum’s magic cloaking spell, which has kept the island hidden from the villains of the world. Unfortunately, Plumbum (Dan Chameroy in his 9^th appearance) has accidentally shut down the cloaking spell and revealed their location while trying to log into her Netflix account! With Neverland now exposed, Hook’s wife Helga (Sara-Jeanne Hosie) and her inherited sidekick Smee (farceur Eddie Glen in his 20th panto), have returned to avenge her husband, defeat Peter Pan, and destroy the legendary Heart Of Neverland. Rounding out the cast is Stephanie Sy as Wendy.

Director and choreographer Tracey Flye, whose international credits include productions in the West End, South Africa and Asia, has helmed all but four of the Ross Petty’s holiday pantos. Among her many other credits are Once, the U.S. National Tour of Queen’s We Will Rock You, War Horse (resident director Mirvish Productions) Kiss Me Kate, Evita (choreographer, Stratford Festival), West Side Story (director/choreographer Rainbow Stage) Evita, West Side Story (Vancouver Opera), Reprint (director, Musical Stage Company), and Ring of Fire (director, Theatre Aquarius and The Citadel Theatre). She is also a founding member of the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers (CGDC). 

SesayArts was thrilled to speak with the trailblazing Flye about directing 21 (!) pantos for Ross Petty Productions, directing the upcoming production of Britta Johnson and Sara Farb’s new musical Kelly vs. Kelly, and establishing the venerable Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers (CDGC).

SM: In addition to the shows you regularly direct in theatres across Canada, you’ve directed and choreographed pantos at Ross Petty Productions for 21 years now and created generations of panto enthusiasts… What’s your personal connection to pantos? Why do you love them so much?  

TF: When I initially began my association with the Panto, I had almost no attachment whatsoever.  I had only seen one of the productions in the mid-90’s. But I quickly became a fan…I LOVE story-telling and creating an experience for multi-generations to enjoy together from year to year, with shared memories and “bits” that live on for them.  One of my greatest joys is watching how the children respond with wild abandon and how we as adults let go of our self-consciousness and find our “inner child” again.  Laughter is such an amazing vehicle to unite us as an audience.

SM: Some of the audiences who grew up with these holiday pantos are now bringing their children. To what do you attribute the enduring popularity of the panto genre?  

TF: As I mentioned, the ability for multi-generations to share an experience is invaluable. We have always tried to have something for every age group in terms of music, humor, current references and I think that fact, along with the silliness, the fun and the love is what has kept so many of our audience members coming back every year.

SM: Since Peter’s Final Flight will be the final panto from Ross Petty Productions, I’m curious if there are any special surprises awaiting the audience. Can you give us any hints about what the audience can expect at this finale production?  

TF: I think that there are a number of “nods” to past productions…there is definitely something for everyone in this show….there may be some swashbuckling…but I think that you have to come and be part of the experience to see it all!

SM: This might be the final panto you direct and choreograph for this company, but fortunately for us, you have lots of projects ahead of you. What’s next for you that you’re especially excited about?  

TF: I am currently working on the new musical, Kelly vs Kelly by Britta Johnson and Sara Farb, that will have its Musical Stage Company premiere in the spring and am VERY excited about working with this dream team. 

I am also excited to be a founding member of the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers (CGDC) and growing this organization that advocates for live theatre professionals in Canada and provides mentorship and a training ground for young-in-craft artists.

SM: Over the years, I’ve seen several of the shows you’ve directed. As you reflect on your professional career and all of your various accomplishments, what (or who) really stands out to you?  

TF: Oh my goodness, that’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. Honestly, I have been so lucky to have the experiences that I have had. I have always referred to rehearsal and my shows as “going to school”.  There is so much that is discovered in every production, so many collaborations that are life-changing and important. It’s always been the best part of the education for me. To pick a couple is almost impossible. But if you twist my arm, I would say, learning and setting Jerome Robbins’ original choreography for West Side Story is a tick off the bucket list, playing “Velma” in Chicago, my long-time association with QUEEN and We Will Rock You are a few.

SM: If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would you tell her? 

TF: I would remind myself not to sweat the small stuff, “yes and” is always the best answer in creating and collaboration, and TRUST. Always TRUST.

Reserve tickets to PETER’S FINAL FLIGHT: The PAN-Tastical Family Musical! on ticketmaster.com.

© Arpita Ghosal, SesayArts Magazine, 2022