‘Peter Pan’ Delights at North Shore Music Theatre

 

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

Welcome to Neverland at  and their summer musical of “Peter Pan”, the boy who won’t grow up. As soon as you enter the theater you are transported to Neverland with the gorgeous and colorful sets of Kyle Dixon. The original play was by J.M. Barrie written in 1904 which was based on his novel “Peter and Wendy.” However this musical version has music mostly by Morris Charlap, with additional music by Jule Styne with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. It was originally adapted and directed by Jerome Robbins. The original Broadway musical opened in 1954 and starred Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard as Peter Pan and Captain Hook. These roles won them both Tony Awards.

 

Broadway revivals occurred in 1981 starring Sandy Duncan and in 1991 and 1999 starring Cathy Rigby. “Peter Pan” is the story of the never-aging boy who with a sprinkling of magic dust transports the three Darling children to the world of Neverland with its Pirates, Lost Boys and Neverlanders. Peter faces many adventures especially with his nemesis, Captain Hook. Director Bob Richard casts 24 talented performers in these roles and achieves marvelous results. Combined with his wife and choreographer Diane Laurenson and music director Peter Leigh-Nilsen’s expertise, this musical becomes an excellent example of family theatre at its best. For the older audience members, the show brings back many childhood memories of the Mary Martin television version which was shown every year on TV while the younger audience members will be enthralled by the magical spell it weaves for them, too. The magic of this show is for the audience to reconnect with the joys of their youth. This multitalented 24 member cast will capture your hearts with their fantastic rendition. The thunderous applause and spontaneous standing ovation are the true barometer of all their hard work.

 

Owner and producer Bill Hanney and producing artistic director Kevin Hill, keep the production values high with their outstanding staff. Bob does a splendid job blocking this huge cast and elicits the best comic and dramatic performances from each of them. His keen eye for detail is apparent throughout the show. Bob leaves the audience laughing at the comic moments as well as tearful and the poignant ones. The double entendres entertain and amuse the adult crowd. These dramatic moments include Peter remembering his mother during “Distant Melody” and when saying goodbye to Wendy and the boys before they are captured by the pirates. Bob always does a fabulous job no matter the size of the cast. Diane choreographs the show terrifically. Her fabulous dances include tangos, tarantellas, waltzes, soft shoe, astounding athletic dance steps and many others, executed perfectly by the Pirates, Lost Boys and Neverlanders. Peter’s orchestra and musical direction is splendid. The energetic and exuberant music sounds beautiful. He not only conducts a fifteen  piece orchestra but also plays lead keyboards. The Flying scenes are superb and excellently executed by ZFX, Inc. Kyle Dixon designed the gorgeous sets while Kelly Baker assembled all the beautiful and lovely costumes for this show.

 

James Beaman plays both Captain Hook and Mr. Darling. His Captain Hook oozes in and out of the scenes threatening bodily harm to Peter and the boys while also threatening his men with his hook. James leads his men in song and dance in “Pirate Song”, where he vows to kill Peter who cut off Hook’s hand and threw it to a crocodile, “Hook’s Tango”, “Hook’s Tarantella” in “Oh, My Mysterious Lady” where Peter is disguised as a woman and they perform a Latin dance and in “Hook’s Waltz” where he gloats after thinking he’s defeated Peter at last. James makes this curmudgeon come to life. Paul Castree plays Hook’s comic sidekick, Smee.

 

 

The biggest scene stealer is Elena Ricardo who is a gorgeous brunette. She plays Peter Pan perfectly. When she is wearing her boyish style hair and costume, you won’t be able to recognize her. Elena’s high energy performance entrances the audience and her songs are fantastic, too. From “I’ve Gotta Crow” where she thumbs her nose and dances with her shadow excellently played and danced by Liesl Jaye, to “Neverland” where she entrances Wendy to come with him, to “I’m Flying” where she teaches the 3 children how to fly and is worth the price of admission, to “Wendy” where the Lost Boys build a house around Wendy, to “I Won’t Grow Up”, she delivers the goods with her strong singing voice. Another comic number is “Oh, My Mysterious Lady” with Hook where they do a Latin dance while Peter is dressed as a woman. She displays her soprano range in this number which is astounding. Elena captures the role splendidly with her interactions with the whole cast and when she begs the audience to save Tinkerbelle’s life with their applause, you really believe in the magic that Peter is begging for. She is dynamite in her athletic flying scenes as she bounds around the stage with the boys and Indians while fighting Hook and the Pirates, too. Fabulous and breathtaking performance! Brava!

 

The Darling children are excellently played by Kate Fitzgerald as Wendy, Jake Ryan Flynn as John and AJ Scott as Michael. Kate is a gorgeous red head with a glorious soprano voice. She sings “Tender Shepherd” with the two boys and Mrs. Darling as well as in “I’m Flying” with her brothers. Kathy St. George plays Mrs. Darling. She is an award winning actress who displays her lovely voice and acting chops in this role and also plays the grown up Wendy at the end of the show. Jake returns for his second show this season, having played little Patrick in “Mame” last month and having appeared as Charley on Broadway last season in “Willy Wonka.” Jake and cute as a button AJ handle their lines and songs like acting veterans and fly around the stage with the greatest of ease.  AJ steals many a scene with his charisma at an early age of 8 years old. Another invigorating performer is Victoria Byrd as Tiger Lily. She doesn’t stop dancing in this show in 2 athletic dances with the Neverlanders and in “Ugg-a-Wug” with Peter Pan, the Lost Boys and Neverlanders. Victoria also does the reprise of “I’ve Gotta Crow” where she learns how to crow. I last reviewed Victoria as Maggie in “A Chorus Line” last month at Reagle Music Theatre in Waltham, MA. Ian Shain wins many laughs as the nursemaid Nana, the St. Bernard dog and the Crocodile who pursues Hook during the show while slithering in and out of scenes. Also returning to NSMT are Brian Padgett as Starkey and Alexander Gil Cruz as Cecco, two of the comic pirates. Alexander is also Hook’s understudy. I first reviewed him as Paul in “A Chorus Line” back in 2010 for Studio Theatre Company in Fall River, MA and last reviewed him here as Bernardo in “West Side Story” in 2016. So for a return to the timeless Neverland and the world of Peter Pan, be sure to catch this fabulous musical at NSMT before Peter Pan flies out of town for good. It is a show for audiences of all ages from the very young to the young at heart. Run do not walk to the box office before this family musical is completely sold out. Tell them Tony sent you.

PETER PAN (10 to 22 July)

North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA

1(978)232-7200 or www.nsmt.org