[NEohioPAL] Review of "Peter Pan" at The Beck

[Bob Abelman]

A lighter but lovely Peter Pan returns to the Beck

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review appeared in the News-Herald on 12/11/09

In the opening act of the James Barrie-based musical about a boy who won't grow up, Peter Pan returns to the Darling residence to retrieve the shadow he accidently left behind during an earlier visit.

 

In this year's return engagement of Peter Pan at The Beck Center for the Arts, the shadow that Peter casts is a shade lighter than it was last year.

 

Peter Pan introduces us to a child-friendly fantasy world, where adults are inept, flying is feasible, and life's problems can be resolved with a bit of fairy dust, a round of clapping and some crowing.  It is a delightful story with memorable lyrics and music by Carolyn Leigh and Mark Charlap.  It was beautifully told in last year's production at The Beck and it is beautifully told once again.

 

For all intents and purposes, the productions are near-mirror images. 

 

Back is Ben Needham's nicely appointed Victorian-era Darling residence in act one, magical and multi-tiered Neverlandscape in act two, and rustic deck of the pirate ship in act three.  Each time the curtain opens, jaws drop in the audience.  Except for some tweaking and trimming in Martin Cespedes' inventive and highly energetic choreography, and a few necessary modifications in Aimee Kluiber's pirate costuming, their contributions remain relatively unchanged.

 

What is new is the lighter tone director Scott Spence brings to an already lightweight bit of musical theatre, which has its benefits and its drawbacks.

 

Gone are the rough, belligerent edges of Peter's personality that John Paul Soto brought to the role last year.

 

What is left is a more playful Peter.  This makes the endearing Soto even more adored by children in the audience and more accessible to the adults who may have difficulty envisioning a small but strapping male playing a part defined by legendary females on Broadway.  Soto is all unbridled energy and passion on stage. He is an absolute joy to listen to and to watch. 

 

Unfortunately, this kinder and gentler Peter gives his small legion of Lost Boys less substance to play off of.  They form less of a relationship with Peter and, consequently, are not particularly distinctive or memorable in this production.

 

Gone, too, is much of the rough-housing that helped define last year's pirates.

 

What remains, and is significantly enhanced, is their buffoonery.  Mugging takes the place of mild maliciousness, and antics replace acting.  The big fight sequence between the pirates, Indians and Lost Boys, for example, is shorter and more vaudevillian this time around, with mops replacing guns as the weapons of choice.   The pirate's supplemented silliness is very entertaining, but loses focus and purpose as the play progresses.

      

A casualty from all this is Captain Hook.  Actors who take on this role tend to accentuate either the viciousness or the swishiness established in Cyril Richard's original performance back in the 1950s.  George Roth, new to the role and a superb actor, seems to realize that neither characteristic plays well in the kinder climate created for this year's Neverland, and is caught somewhere in between.  He brings clever nuance and detail to his actions, but they get lost amidst the overreactions of his band of pirates.

 

Back is Alexis Floyd and all the athleticism and energy she brings as Tiger Lilly.  Her appearance and that of her talented tribe add pace to occasionally malingering moments in the show.  Their high octane dance numbers are the production's highlights.

 

Back is Kelly Smith as Wendy, the most charming of the Darling children and a significant asset to this production.  She lights up the stage.

 

When Peter's shadow is found and reattached, it displays a little wear and tear but still fits beautifully.  So, too, does the Beck Center's revival of Peter Pan.  

 

Peter Pan runs through January 3 at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood.  For tickets, which range from $17-$28, call 216-521-2540 x 10 or visit www.beckcenter.org.
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