Bufford will take on dream role of Peter Pan in Atlanta

Lincoln County native Carole Bufford (c) is all set to "wow" audiences as Peter Pan in the Atlanta Lyric Theater's production of the hit Broadway musical, which will be presented February 8-10 at The Ferst Center for the Arts. Pictured with Bufford are Daniel Britt as Captain Hook, Casey Leigh Thompson as Tiger Lilly, and an unidentified crocodile.

"'Peter Pan' has been a dream role for as long as I can remember," said Carole Bufford. "We had Mary Martin on a Beta tape - I used to watch it over and over and over when I was a child. I always loved that musical."

The Lincoln County native's dream has finally come true. Accompanied by Tinker Bell, she will don her green tights and soar back and forth to Neverland in the Atlanta Lyric Theatre's production of "Peter Pan."

Performances are scheduled for Friday, February 8, and Saturday, February 9, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 10, at 2 p.m. at The Ferst Center for the Arts, located on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta.

Based on the play by James M. Barrie, the Broadway musical features such well-loved numbers as "I Won't Grow Up," "Neverland," "I Gotta Crow," and "I'm Flying."

Along with a lot of flying, the show will also boast a 15-piece orchestra and the actual costumes from the national tour.

According to Brandt Blocker, artistic director and general manager of the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, "When Carole first auditioned, I wrote 'We have our Pan' in my notebook. She was born to play this part. Her talent is incredible - it totally surpasses her years. She can hold her own with anyone on stage.

"This was clearly a role Carole has always wanted to play," the director continued. "We are blessed to give her the opportunity to perform it, and the audience will be blessed with the opportunity to see her on stage as Peter Pan."

In other comments, Blocker called Bufford a pro. "She is well-prepared and works very, very hard. She is a perfectionist and wants to get it right.

"We are proud to show Carole off here in Atlanta because it's clear she is going to have an amazing career in New York."

Bufford is currently living in New York City, where she is carving out a career for herself as a professional actor.

"I keep busy, trying to sing as much as possible," she said. "I also audition like a maniac."

When she is not auditioning or performing, Bufford serves as a personal assistant for a family on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Since her 2004 graduation from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, with a Bachelor of Arts in musical theater, the LCHS graduate has experienced quite a few career highlights. These include landing the title role in the touring cast of the musical, "Junie B. Jones;" playing the role of Kween in the off-Broadway production of "Trouble in Shameland;" serving as the understudy for two members of the cast of "A Christmas Carol" at the Lucille Lortel Theater in New York City; and performing a solo cabaret in Manhattan, titled "An Inappropriate Evening With Carole J. Bufford," which garnered rave reviews.

Concerning her debut as Peter Pan, Bufford said when she came across the listing for the audition and saw that it was in Atlanta, she knew she had to try out for the part.

"I didn't hear from them for a while. Then, Brandt Blocker called and asked me to return to Atlanta for a 'call back.' After the audition, we went to lunch and at the very end of the meal, Brandt told me I'd gotten the part.

"I was so excited. I always wanted to play Peter Pan and to be able to do it in Georgia where all of my family could come and see me - I was elated.

"It's a magical role," the young actor explained. "Peter Pan is a well concocted character. He's spunky, mischievous, and energetic - he can get away with anything. He doesn't want to grow up and neither do I. He's such a fun character to play.

"Also, there's that moment when the audience actually becomes part of Peter's world and must clap to keep Tinkerbell alive. It's just magical."

Bufford went on to add that some of the best music of the "Golden Age of Broadway" is found in "Peter Pan."

As for the flying, ZFX, Inc., the same company that flew Cathy Rigby around the stage during the musical's national tour, will be responsible for making Bufford soar.

"These people are complete professionals, so I'm trusting them with my life," she said. "I haven't flown yet, so I don't know what it feels like. I do know that the first time I fly onto the stage and see a live audi- ence before me will be a moment I'll never forget."

Bufford is the daughter of Bill and Kaye Bufford of Lincolnton and the granddaughter of Ed and Eva Burdette of Washington; Gwinn and Cliffy Ware of Evans, formerly of Tignall; and the late Buddy Bufford and Lilly Bufford Wells.

Other members of the cast include Lyric veteran and Atlanta resident Daniel Britt as the villainous Captain Hook; Erinn Ashley Cohen, a senior at Alpharetta High School, as Wendy Darling; 12-year-old Jonathan Krohn as John Darling; and eight-year-old Westminster student Ben Wilson as Michael Darling.

The show is being choreographed by Casey Leigh Thompson, who also plays the role of Tiger Lily.

To fly with Bufford to the "second star to the right" and experience anew the wonders of Neverland, call 1-404- 894-9600 or visit the Atlanta Lyric Theatre's website at www. atlantalyrictheatre.com. Ticket prices range from $22 to $49. Group rates are available.

The Lyric Theatre is Atlanta's only local, professional musical theatre.