‘Peter Pan’ spins a magical tale fit for the season
“Peter Pan” might seem a strange choice for the holiday season. Pan was a pagan forest deity, part goat and associated with fertility rituals and myths. He would have been worshipped, especially in the springtime when things start to grow, and that is why Peter Pan is always dressed in green and also why he shows up at the Darling household at the time of the annual spring cleaning. But we live in a pluralist society now, and not everyone wants to do or see Christmas shows during December. “Peter Pan” is not a Christmas show, certainly, but it revolves around two things associated with the season: magic and children.
“Peter Pan” is being performed by Landmark Musicals in a solid production directed with finesse by Laurie Finnegan.
The musical “Peter Pan” opened on Broadway in 1954 and was directed by the great Jerome Robbins. It went on to win the Tony Award for best musical as well as two more for its stars, Mary Martin as Peter and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook. But the play was originally written, without music, in 1904 by the talented British playwright J.M. Barrie. He later expanded the story into a novel in 1911. The musical uses both the play and the novel for its source material.
Peter is usually played by a young woman, and this show continues that venerable tradition with Zoey Reese giving a spirited performance as the flying boy from Neverland who refuses to grow up. The production employs the services of Flying by Foy to suspend Peter and later the Darling children in aerial flight to great effect.
Most of the fun of “Peter Pan” is provided by the adventures Peter has with the Darling children and the Lost Boys in Neverland, especially their encounters with the malevolent Hook, who captures them and prepares to have them walk the plank to their deaths. Peter evades capture but is believed to be dead after Hook poisons the medicine Wendy leaves for him. When Tinkerbell can’t dissuade Peter from drinking the poison, she drinks it herself to save his life. Both Tinkerbell and Wendy love Peter, but he is a boy and will have none of that romantic nonsense.
The fairy Tinkerbell is animated by a rapidly moving green light that flies around the stage and is operated by James Daniels. She speaks in musical tones coming from the orchestra that only Peter can understand.
Mr. Darling and Captain Hook are both played by the ubiquitous and very talented Ed Chavez.
The best scenes in the play are those including Tiger Lily and the Indians, who are also a force for good battling the dastardly Captain Hook and his evil pirates. What makes these scenes so effective are the precisely choreographed dance numbers. “Peter Pan” is choreographed by Louis and Courtney Giannini, with the very talented dancer Courtney also playing Tiger Lily; she has the best dance solos in the show.
My favorite song in the musical is “Tender Shepherd,” which is performed beautifully by Erin Warden.
“Peter Pan” is meticulously produced, with the best simulated dog and crocodile you are ever likely to see on a stage. As it turns out, both creatures are delightfully brought to life by Nance Saint John.
“Peter Pan” is playing at UNM’s Rodey Theatre through Dec. 11. Call 505-4538844 or go to www.landmarkmusicals.org to make your reservation.