Peter Pan
The Uncommon Theatre Company and Bay Colony Productions' joint show
is the musical version of "Peter Pan". It is a musical adaptation of
J.M. Barrie's 1904 play "Peter Pan" and his novel "Peter and
Wendy". The music is mostly by Mark Charlap, with additional music by Jule
Styne, and most of the lyrics by Carolyn Leigh with additional ones by
Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The original 1954 Broadway
show was adapted and originally directed by Jerome Robbins, and
it starred Mary Martin as Peter and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook, which
won them both the Tony Awards. The show is the story of the
never-aging boy who transports the 3 Darling children to the world of
Neverland with its Pirates, Lost Boys and Indians. Peter faces many
adventures most notably with his nemesis, Captain Hook. Director Bill
Cunningham casts 57 performers in his show and achieves marvelous results.
Combined with musical director Esther Zabinski and choreographer, Dori
Bryan's expertise, this show 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 while the younger members will be enthralled at the
magical spell it weaves for them, too. This multitalented cast will
capture your hearts with their fantastic rendition and the thunderous
applause and spontaneous standing ovation are the true barometer of
all their hard work.
Bill does topnotch work with this huge cast, blocking and directing
them expertly. His keen eye for detail is apparent throughout the show and
his casting of all these roles is marvelous, too. Bill also makes the
poignant moments in the show when Peter begins to remember his mother in
"Distant Melody" and when he says goodbye to Wendy and the boys before
they are captured by the Pirates. Bill isn't only an excellent
director but a wonderful performer who recently played Charlie Brown in
the group's "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" in August. Esther's
orchestra and musical direction is splendid and the energetic and
exuberant songs sound beautiful. She not only conducts her 10
piece orchestra but plays the piano,too. Dori choreographs the show
terrifically. Her fabulous dances include tangos, tarantellas, waltzes and
many others, executed perfectly by the children who play the Lost Boys,
Pirates and Indians. The biggest scene stealer in this show
is Daniel Kozar who not only plays Captain Hook and Mr.
Darling, but made the multitude of costumes, too. His Captain
Hook is splendid as he oozes in and out of the scenes threatening
bodily harm to Peter and the boys. Dan leads the pirate band in song and
dance in "Hook's Tango", "Hook's Tarantella", "Oh My Mysterious
Lady" where he does a Latin dance with Peter Pan disguised as a woman and
in "Hook's Waltz" with his men. Dan shines in this role, making a great
curmudgeon come alive. Walter Driscoll is a hoot as his sidekick,
Smee who constantly gets hit on the head and thrown around
the stage. Mike Texieira is the hard working stage manager who keeps
things running smoothly and heads the large backstage crew needed
to move the sets on and off with ease. Mike also did the
lighting design while Mike Duarte designed the set, Ed DiMarzio did the
sound and Gail Gilman handles the props. Peter Pan and the 3
Darling children's flying scenes are superb and are expertly executed by
Flying by Foy. They are same company who flew Mary Martin in the
1950's as well as current day Broadway musical hits like "Mary
Poppins", Billy Elliott" and "Wicked".
Nicole Cayer, who is a pretty brunette in real life, plays the
role of Peter Pan excellently. When she is wearing her boyish wig and
costume you won't recognize her. Nicole's high energy performance
overwhelms the audience and her songs are topnotch, too. From "I've Gotta
Crow" to "Neverland" to "I'm Flying" to "I Won't Grow Up", she delivers
the goods, capturing the role splendidly with her interactions with the
whole cast. She sings "Wendy" while the boys build a house around
her. Her gorgeous soprano voice is heard in "Mysterious Lady" and
"Distant Melody". The Darling children are excellently played by
Kelly Newton, Conor Bunker and Andrew Purdy. Kelly is only an eighth
grader but she possesses a lovely singing voice which she uses
in "Tender Shepherd" with the 2 boys and her mother in the show as well as
in "I'm Flying" and the very lovely ballad "Distant Melody" with Nicole
and Carol Kingsbury who makes a marvelous Mrs. Darling with her beautiful
voice and wonderful acting skills. Carol also plays the adult Wendy at the
end of the show when Peter Pan returns for her to do his spring cleaning
while Kelly plays her daughter, Jane. Conor is 14 years
old and Andrew is a fifth grader who can sing and dance with their
elders splendidly. Conor and Andrew steal many a scene with their
wonderful singing and dancing skills. Their props are comical
especially Conor's top hat and Andrew's teddy bear. Another energetic
performer is Laura Gustafson as Tiger Lily. She doesn't stop dancing
during the show in her big dance with Indians and in "Ugg-a-Wugg" with
Peter Pan, the Lost Boys and the Indians. Her facial expressions are
hilarious. Laura also plays Liza , the maid. Nana, the dog is
played by Erin Van Dell and the Crocodile by Katie Armstrong. So for
a trip back to the world of Peter Pan, be sure to catch this fabulous show
in Foxboro, before it flies out of town.
PETER PAN (27
November to 6 December, 2009)
Bay Colony/Uncommon Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, 1
School Street, Foxboro, MA
1(800)838-3006 or www.uncommontheatre.com