You may hardly be blamed for pondering that “Peter Pan: The Hit Broadway Musical” simply could also be among the dustiest phrases in theater historical past.
Peter Pan? In the present day? Actually?
However the Broadway nationwide tour has been zhuzhed up excellent from its 1954 origin, with sound judgment and even restraint … principally … and the themes and pulse of the musical are nonetheless there, as resonant as when J.M. Barrie first mounted the play in 1904.
The “Peter Pan” that’s taking part in on the Kravis Heart in West Palm Seashore by means of Feb. 16 — and coming to Fort Lauderdale’s Kravis Heart in Could — is a sorta-kinda new adaptation (it’s been treading the boards since 2023) of the musical all of us keep in mind in regards to the boy who refuses to develop up.
For this staging, American Indian playwright Larissa FastHorse has sprinkled her personal model of fairy mud on the present’s e book, particularly with the depiction of indigenous folks. However the basic songs stay, corresponding to “I’m Flying,” “I Gotta Crow,” “I Gained’t Develop Up” and “By no means By no means Land.”
Matthew Murphy
From left, Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan, Kenny Ramos as Acoma, Raye Zaragoza as Tiger Lily with the solid of “Peter Pan.” (Matthew Murphy/Courtesy)
The solid, a satisfying panorama of nth-degree variety, carry out these requirements dutifully. And from the Darling Household to the Misplaced Boys, they smoooooooothly slip in some references that everybody from Era Alpha to Boomers will get: viral movies, iPads, E. coli, unsolicited mail, unsweetened yogurt.
The particular results are dealt with excellent — not an FX as a lot as a lowercase fx. That isn’t a “Peter” pan. It’s accurately. The magic flows together with the narrative, by no means upstaging it or derailing it for the sake of spectacle for spectacle’s sake. When the manufacturing flies, it actually soars. The stagecraft is masterful.
It should be mentioned, nevertheless, that the efficiency sensibility is someplace between English pantomime and a Nickelodeon sitcom. Whereas that doesn’t essentially floor “Peter Pan,” it does make the two hours (with a 20-minute intermission) appear to overstay its welcome only a bit.
And the choreography comes off as clunky and sophomoric, with all the highschool connotations therein. A form of Peter Precept, if you’ll. No, we don’t want popping and locking, however what’s there now’s the one factor making “Peter Pan” simply too “Peter” wan.
Nonetheless, if you happen to give up to the present, and dirt off these reminiscences you most likely have, “Peter Pan” simply may make you — even in these occasions — consider.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “Peter Pan: The Hit Broadway Musical”
WHEN/WHERE:
- By way of Sunday, Feb. 16, at Kravis Heart for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Seashore
- Could 6-18 at Broward Heart for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
COST:
- Kravis Heart: $50-$145
- Broward Heart: $45-$176
INFORMATION:
Matthew Murphy
From left, Micah Turner Lee as John, Reed Epley as Michael, Hawa Kamara as Wendy and Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan. (Matthew Murphy/Courtesy)
Matthew Murphy
Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan with the solid of the musical. (Matthew Murphy/Courtesy)
