Review: 'Peter Pan' Provides Plenty Of Fun For Youth Of All Ages
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Toward the end of Wagon Wheel Theatre’s production of “Peter Pan,” Captain Hook gets so frustrated with Pan that he demands to know who he really is. Pan responds, “I am youth, I am joy, I am freedom!” The best part of this production is when the show is like Pan – youthful, joyous, free to be silly. Because when the show isn’t like that, it tends to drag just a little bit. Oh, but the kids will love “Peter Pan,” and their parents will enjoy watching their children really get into the show. And why not? There’s a giant dog puppet, a slithering crocodile, Indians, pirates, flying actors, a mermaid and sword fights. All the things little kids like to play and pretend. As the show starts once the orchestra finishes the overture, the setting is the Darling children’s nursery. A large window is to one side, next to Wendy’s (Leigh Ellen Jones) bed, while across the stage are the beds of her brothers, John (Chase Stiffler) and Michael (Derek Stiffler). Next to the boys’ beds is Nana’s doghouse, and in the middle of the opening scene is Wendy’s dollhouse. The fun silliness of “Peter Pan” really begins with Nana. Performed by Matthew Janisse, he really does an effective job playing a large dog. He operates the dog costume/puppet like a real dog, really getting his back into it, but he also uses his human face to play up the dog. Audiences will know what I mean more fully when they see this entertaining show and watch Janisse hysterically play the dog. Who needs a real dog? The Wagon Wheel has Janisse. The opening scene also sets up the theme for the story about being kids, enjoying one’s childhood and ultimately having to grow up. Some days, who wants to do that? By casting Andy Robinson not only as the father, George Darling, but also as Hook, the two “least liked” characters, the theme is really emphasized. Mr. Darling is easily agitated and authoritative. Hook is the villain and wants to put an end to Pan, who represents childhood and youth. Of course, Robinson also is one of the theater’s best character actors, so Robinson really knows how to ham it up when the scene allows. For example, when Hook takes the Teddy Bear from little Michael, Robinson really gets a good chuckle from the audience with the way he snatches and holds on to it. And Hook’s costume is just another fabulous job by costume designer Stephen Hollenbeck. His costumes are proper and etiquette is considered when required, such as the dress worn by Mrs. Darling (Lauren Roesner), but fun and outrageous when he can let loose with his designs, such as the Indian garb. I don’t know off hand if the Nana and crocodile costumes were created in house or purchased, but they were two of the best animal costumes I’ve seen used for a Wagon Wheel production. I wanted to play the crocodile because the costume and the actor inside it (Zack Vandever) made it look fun. But “Peter Pan” wouldn’t be what it is without the right actor in the title role. Fortunately, Lee Slobotkin plays Pan just right. Pan is conceited, cocky, silly, uneducated, fun-loving but with a heart underneath it all. Slobotkin does all that well. He’s also crazy flexible – whether he’s doing the splits, jumping around in a sword fight or flying through the air. This is a musical, so, of course, Pan also gets to sing several numbers. Slobotkin has the right singing voice for Pan, too. It has a youthful quality to it, but also pleasant to the ears. When Slobotkin delivers the song “I Gotta Crow,” Pan’s conceited personality shines through. In “I Won’t Grow Up,” there’s an overwhelming sense of rebelliousness and defiance in his voice. Just as it should be. As for Pan’s costumes, it sort of looks like he rolled into glue and then leaves in the woods, and that’s his outfit. It’s not all green like audiences may remember from the Disney version of “Peter Pan,” but it works. It gives him a more natural, outdoors kind of feel. Pan takes Wendy to Neverland to be the mother of the lost boys and himself. Jones is a college student, but her portrayal of Wendy is both youthful and motherly. Watching Jones’ play Wendy, audiences can feel that when Wendy grows up and has a daughter of her own, she’ll be a great mother. Jones also has a sweet singing voice that lets her sooth the lost boys with the song “Distant Melody.” Again, another perfect casting choice. John (Chase Stiffler) doesn’t have a lot of lines in this “Peter Pan,” and neither does Michael (Derek Stiffler). However, when Michael is on the stage, he steals the show. He’s not only a little “cutie patootie,” but Derek seems a natural fit for the role. Audiences reacted favorably to him on stage, as they should because he’s a scene stealer. For the role of Tinkerbell, since she’s a tiny fairy, she is represented by a light shined onto the surface of the floor, furniture or audiences. A tinker sound is used for her fairy voice, which then is translated by Pan to Wendy and the other characters. This way of doing Tinkerbell was probably ideal in the end. It didn’t take away from the story, and the little kids around me seemed to be able to use their imagination well enough to “see” her there. There are a bunch of lost boys and Indians, but there are a few that stand out. As Tootles, Jennifer Dow somehow easily comes off as a young boy. Tootles is the character that shoots Wendy because Tinkerbell told the lost boys to shoot the “Wendy bird” down. Tinkerbell is mad jealous about any other female getting too close to her Peter, though Pan is about as clueless to a girl’s advances as a boy can get. Slightly is another lost boy, portrayed comically by Stephen Anthony. Anthony is one of the few actors back from the 2011 season, and gives a WWT veteran performance, even though he’s not a main role. He just has a youthful exuberance about him in this role. The best dance scene in the entire production is by the Indians, led by Tiger Lily (Hillary Smith). When the Indians sing and dance to “Ugh-A-Wug,” it looks like pure fun. I’ve seen many of Artistic Director/choreographer Scott Michaels’ dance numbers to know one when I see it. However, “Ugh-A-Wug” feels fresh and new and fun. It’s a number some of the little ones around me opening night Wednesday seemed to want to join in on. All the actors playing Indians get a special round of applause from me for their performance.It takes a whole great cast to make an enjoyable show. I’m not a big fan of Disney’s “Peter Pan,” but luckily this musical isn’t based on that movie. It’s the musical based on the play by Sir James M. Barrie. Opening night Wednesday of this “Peter Pan” beats Disney’s. With this cast, from Smee (Dan Smith) to Curly (Lucas Thomas) and everyone else, they’ve got the 2012 summer season off to a great start. If you go see this show, take the whole family. Everyone should enjoy it. My rating of the show (out of four): 3.25. Tickets for “Peter Pan” range from $16 to $34. For more information, visit online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.org, or call 574-267-8041.
