Posts Tagged ‘j.m. barrie’

Fun Revised “Peter Pan” at the Fox Takes a New Look at a Familiar Classic

Posted in St Louis Theatre, USA Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Peter Pan
A Musical Based on the play by J. M. Barrie
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Book by Morris (Moose) Charlap
Additional Lyrics by Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Amanda Green
Additional Music by Jule Styne, Additonal Book by Larissa Fasthorse
Directed by Lonny Price
Choreographed by Lorin Latarro
The Fox Theatre
November 13, 2024

Nolan Almeida, Hawa Kamara
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Peter Pan US Tour

Peter Pan is a classic Broadway musical that has been filmed several times over the years. It has been a hit with audiences in the past, but parts of it have become dated over the years, and the latest production, featuring new additions to the book by Larissa Fasthorse and now on tour at the Fox, has worked to fix some of the problematic elements while retaining the overall spirit and classic story and score. This production, led by several dynamic performers and an energetic young lead, works well as a family favorite and a refreshing update in that, while it does make a few necessary changes, it’s still very recognizably Peter Pan.

One of the more obvious changes is apparent from the outset. The story still starts by introducing the Darling siblings–Wendy (Hawa Kamara), John (William Foon)–and Michael (Camden Kwok) and their harried parents (Shefali Deshpande as Mrs. Darling, Cody Garcia as Mr. Darling), but the setting is no longer Victorian England but the present day, and the dog Nanna has been replaced by a distracted human babysitter, Liza (Hannah Schmidt). This setup works surprisingly well, with the idea of youth vs. “growing up” being introduced in the children’s interests and Mr. Darling’s hyperfocus on his work. Soon, Peter Pan (Nolan Almeida) arrives, and the story plays out essentially as before, but with an elevated role for Tiger Lily (played at this performance by Bailey Frankenberg) and fellow Native American denizens of Neverland, who are given a brief but poignant backstory. There are also the orphaned Lost Boys, who follow Peter and are looking for a mother, and the vengeful Captain Hook (also Garcia), who leads a bumbling gang of pirates and hope to follow through on a personal grudge against Peter. As before, the story is full of humor, adventure, swashbuckling sword fights, and the classic score featuring familiar songs like “I Gotta Crow”, “I’m Flying”, “Distant Melody” and more, with a few additions including the lively “Friends Forever” for Peter and Tiger Lily and their followers, which is a welcome replacement for an outdated previous song.

The performances and staging are lively and energetic, with a charming performance from Almeida as the determinedly youthful Peter, and by Kamara as the resourceful Wendy, who has strong chemistry with Almeida as well as with the delightful young Foon and Kwok as her brothers. Frankenberg, filling in for principal Raye Zaragoza as Tiger Lily, is also excellent and a strong dancer. Garcia in a dual role as Mr. Darling and as the vain, scheming Captain Hook is hilarious and full of energy, supported in a fun comic performance by Kurt Perry as his First Mate, Smee. There’s also a delightful ensemble of Lost Boys, Pirates, and Tiger Lily’s tribe that provide much in the way of humor, enthusiasm, and athletic dancing choregraphed by Lorin Latarro. 

The production values are especially impressive and adaptable for a tour, with a versatile set by Anna Louizos that features some clever transitions, as well as thrilling projections designed by David Bengali and dynamic flying moments choreographed by Paul Rubin. There are also colorful costumes by Sarafina Bush, as well as striking lighting by Amith Chandrashaker. 

Overall, this Peter Pan is a lot of fun, with action, humor, and lots of heart. It’s a welcome and appropriately updated production that works well while keeping the essence of the story of the struggle between the desire to grow up fast and maintaining the adventure and freedom of youth. It’s an entertaining, tuneful and visually stunning treat for all ages. 

Cast of Peter Pan
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Peter Pan US Tour

The National Tour of Peter Pan is running at the Fox Theatre until November 24, 2024

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“Finding Neverland” Enchants at the Fox

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , on December 14, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Finding Neverland
Book by James Graham, Music and Lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy
Directed by Diane Paulus
Choreographed by Mia Michaels
The Fox Theatre
December 6, 2016

Cast of Finding Neverland Photo by Carol Rosegg Finding Neverland National Tour

Cast of Finding Neverland
Photo by Carol Rosegg
Finding Neverland National Tour

Finding Neverland the musical didn’t last long on Broadway, but now it’s on tour, stopping here in St. Louis at the Fox Theatre. It’s a big, bold and sparkly kind of musical with dazzling special effects and an interesting if somewhat cheesy story. Well cast and spectacularly staged, it’s overall impression is an enchanting one.

Inspired by the film of the same name, Finding Neverland tells the story of Scottish playwright J.M. Barrie (Kevin Kern), who is most famous nowadays for having written the classic Peter Pan. This musical is a condensed, partially fictionalized portrayal of Barrie’s relationship with the widowed Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Christine Dwyer) and her sons Peter (played on opening night by Ben Krieger), George (Finn Faulconer), Jack (Mitchell Wray), and Michael (Jordan Cole).  As the show portrays the situation, producer Charles Frohman (Tom Hewitt) has been insisting that the discouraged Barrie write a new play for his company to produce as soon as possible, and Barrie’s newfound friendship with Sylvia and the boys eventually inspires him to write Peter Pan.  The process of writing and producing the play is juxtaposed with Barrie’s relationship with Sylvia and her sons, especially Peter, who Barrie encourages to write his own stories.  While the “love story” element here is somewhat overblown, it’s a fun show. The exploration of the creative process is interesting, and the character of Captain Hook (also Hewitt) serving as something of an antagonistic “muse” for Barrie is cleverly portrayed.  The score is pretty but not always particularly memorable.

What is memorable is the staging and the dazzling effects that enhance the story and add to the wondrous, magical atmosphere, especially in fantasy sequences. Scott Pask’s set is detailed and versatlie, transporting the audience to Turn of the 20th Century London as well as to Neverland itself. There are also terrific costumes from the authentic to the whimsical designed by Suttirat Anne Larlab, spectacular lighting by Kenneth Posner, projections by Jon Driscoll, illusions by Paul Kleve and fantastic flying effects by Production Resource Group. Barrie’s world–both real and imaginary–is incredibly well realized here. There’s also some great, inventive choreography by Mia Michaels, especially in the ensemble numbers.

The ensemble is particularly strong here, playing London townspeople, actors in the play, and more as the story requires. It’s a large cast, filling the stage at the Fox well. The leads are top-notch as well, particularly Kern as the imaginative, determined Barrie, Dwyer in great voice as Sylvia, and Hewitt in an amusing dual role as the persistent producer Charles and as the wily Captain Hook of Barrie’s imagination. The child performers are also very well cast, with Krieger a particular stand-out as the initially disillusioned but increasingly inquisitive and imaginative Peter. There’s also good supporting work by Joanna Glushak as Sylvia’s mother, Mrs. Du Maurier, Crystal Kellogg as Barrie’s wife Mary, and Corey Rives as the energetic butler, Albert.  The whole cast is excellent, elevating the occasionally cliched script with a real sense of wonder and enchantment. The Peter Pan rehearsal and performance sections are particularly impressive.

This isn’t a perfect musical. The “love story” seemed contrived, and there are a few good songs but a few too many reprises. Still, it’s an extremely well-cast, great looking production that should appeal to audiences of all ages. It’s a flight of fancy that, for the most part, succeeds.

Kevin Kern, Tom Hewitt Photo by Carol Rosegg Finding Neverland National Tour

Kevin Kern, Tom Hewitt
Photo by Carol Rosegg
Finding Neverland National Tour

The National Tour of Finding Neverland is playing at the Fox Theatre until December 18, 2016.

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