Lafayette, CA, – Twenty years ago, a brand-new musical took flight. With a small cast of teenagers, a few backyard rehearsals, way too much fun, and an endless supply of heart, The Peter Pan Foundation put together a performance full of love, hope, and wonder: Wish Upon A Star. This Memorial Day Weekend, at Diablo Valley College, that beloved show will take its final flight – closing a cherished chapter while celebrating an extraordinary legacy.
Wish Upon A Star is not your average musical. A dazzling original mashup of beloved favorites, the production brings together more than 200 performers – from young children and teens to seasoned adult vocalists – in a joyful, high-energy celebration of story and song.
Born from grief and joy in equal measure, Wish Upon A Star was written overnight by PPF Founder and Artistic Director Leslie Noel Hansen, inspired by the extraordinary spirit of Steffen Ryge. At the final rehearsal for its second performance, just days before the Foundation lost Steffen, he and Leslie talked about bringing everyone back together to make magic again. His response – full of all the Peter Pan energy Leslie had seen in him from day one – was simply: “we could do it every year for twenty years!”
“Wish Upon A Star began as a spark of creativity and grew into a production that has inspired hearts for 20 magical years,” says– Leslie Noel Hansen, Founder & Artistic Director, The Peter Pan Foundation. “Through loss, resilience, and even a global pandemic, one belief has always guided us: you can fly.”
This year, all 2:00 PM performances will feature full ASL interpretation, ensuring the magic of this final production is accessible to Deaf and hearing audiences alike. The production remains committed to the inclusive spirit that has defined it for two decades.
The Peter Pan Foundation is a place of inclusion, which supports and celebrates the beauty of uniqueness & diversity. PPF provides equal casting and participation opportunities without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic disposition, or neurodiversity. PPF is about making magic in the world by realizing that – with all of the incredible, strong, passionate, radiant, inspiring people on this planet – the magic is already there. This production of Wish Upon A Star is a direct reflection of our inclusive mission.
This final flight is part of a monumental 20th anniversary celebration for The Peter Pan Foundation, leading to a gala in October 2026 and the dawn of our next era – focused on the heart of our mission: creation, connection, and community service through the magic of music.
Show Details
- Dates: May 23–25, 2026 (Memorial Day Weekend)
- Venue: Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA
Performance Times:
- 10:00 AM shows on May 23rd and May 24th feature participants of all ages
- 2:00 PM Matinees on May 23rd, 24th, and 25th – full ASL interpretation at all 2pm shows
- 7:00 PM Evening Performances on May 23rd, 24th, and 25th
All performances are family-friendly!
Tickets & Information: visit www.peterpanfoundation.org
About The Peter Pan Foundation
The Peter Pan Foundation (PPF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire children of all ages to reach their full potential. Through unique music and theater productions, PPF helps children build confidence, character, and creativity while instilling the value of community outreach and philanthropy. For 20 years, PPF has visited hospitals, schools, senior living facilities, and other organizations to bring hope and magic. PPF is proud to have partnered with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Born This Way Foundation, among others. Learn more at PeterPanFoundation.org.
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