Never Land: Presented by Liberty City Arts - Philadelphia Fringe Festival

Never Land: Presented by Liberty City Arts

Dicky Dutton, Heather Jones, Michael Lewis and Rose Freeman

Cabaret & Variety, Music, Opera, Theater

Revisit the curiosity, mischief, and confusion of childhood in this drag cabaret based on themes of queer escapism found in Peter Pan. Performance artists Dicky Dutton and Heather Jones explore the gender binary of mother versus pirate and the conflicts that arise if anyone should try to outgrow those extremes. Hook and Wendy must sever from their assigned identities in order to free themselves from this haunted fairy tale, but as it turns out, they need each other to be truly liberated. They try on many literal and metaphorical hats to find the path: Pirate and mother? It’s a no go. Pirate and pirate? Maybe? Pirate and fairy? Let’s go. Bring your costume box, your outside voice, and we’ll see you on the island of Never Land.

This project started as a classical recital around ideas of running away from constricting and prescriptive identities and the consequences that arise when you stay or when you leave. Months later, the duo commissioned a duet for mezzo, baritone, and piano composed by Michael Genese with words by Rajiv Mohabir titled “A Boy with Baleen for Teeth.” After one workshop with Amanda + James Productions, it became clear this theatrical recital could live on its own as a fully fleshed cabaret that provides a connection for the two singers as friends and as a vessel for some very serious clownery as is showcased in our most recent edition with new songs and all incidental music by composer/pianist, Michael Lewis, with stage direction by Rose Freeman.

Details

Run Time: 90 mins

Ticket Price: $15

PWYC Options $0+

Venue: The Latvian Society of Philadelphia
Dates: September 10, 2026 - September 12, 2026

Buy Tickets

September 10, 2026 7.30pm

531 N 7th Street

General Admission: $15

PWYC Options

September 12, 2026 8.00pm

531 N 7th Street

General Admission: $15

PWYC Options

About the Artist

Dicky Dutton (they/them) is a singer and performance artist based in Philadelphia whose work bridges classical and contemporary performance. They have collaborated with National Sawdust, New York Festival of Song, Opera Philadelphia, Cincinnati Opera, Bearded Ladies Cabaret, and others. Original works include the commissioned rituals Amalgamate and UMBRA (EXPECTIT). Most recently, they co-created Never Land with Heather Jones and Michael Lewis, produced by Aural Compass Projects. Dicky maintains an active teaching and performing life in Philadelphia and beyond — and shares their home with partner Michael and three bunnies: Cooper, Oliver, and Lulu.

Rose Freeman is an award-winning stage director, teacher, writer, and producer of theatre and opera. A Wolftrap Opera Directing Fellow and recipient of the NOA's JoElyn Wakefield-Wright Stage Director Fellowship and Philadelphia's 2022 Illuminate the Arts Grant, zie is a founding member of Third Eye Theatre Ensemble and on faculty at Temple University. World premieres, major revivals, and a commitment to new work define zir practice. rosefreeman.org

Michael Lewis is a pianist and collaborator praised for his command of the instrument and flexibility of style. He has worked with Opera Philadelphia, Cincinnati Opera, Portland Opera, Arizona Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, and others. In 2019, he founded Aural Compass Projects, a nonprofit advancing equality and representation through new and underperformed works. He holds a BM from Ithaca College and an MM in collaborative piano from Arizona State University.

Heather Jones (they/them) is a performer and composer/playwright whose work has been commissioned by the GRAMMY-nominated Wild Up Ensemble, Spoleto Festival USA, and Amanda+James Productions. Original works include Expostulation(s), Never Land, and ONE BODY. They have performed at Madison Square Garden, in NPR Tiny Desk concerts, and in the 2026 reboot of Mystery Science Theater

Accessibility & Content Considerations

Open captioning

Contact the Fringe Festival Box Office for up to date accessibility information.

This event is appropriate for ages 18+

Violent Content

Adult Language

Audience Interaction

Fog/Smoke Effects

Covid-19 Safety policy

This event does not require masks to be worn