PETER PAN AT THE ELDORADO IN RENO
A Review by Kevin Reeves
Staff Writer
The difference between turn-of-the-century, smog-smeared London and magically colored, fantastical Neverland is about as stark as it gets; nearly as stark is the contrast between producer Clinton Young’s family-friendly theatrical production of Peter Pan and the neon-bathed Reno Eldorado’s adult playground in which it’s performed. It felt quite surreal on the evening of November 19, 2011, to rush my 6-year-old niece in from Reno, Nevada’s nippy winter streets to the warmth of a gamblers’ flashy paradise. However, when going to see a play about escaping reality, a surreal aura definitely fits the bill. And this evening’s magic had only just begun. Courtesy Photo: Peter Pan on stage live at the Eldorado, Reno, NV
J.M. Barrie illustrated the tug-o-war between childhood and maturity in his 1904 stage play about Wendy Darling’s escapades with a sprightly fellow who refuses to grow up. Showcasing comfortably classic elements as well as unexpectedly new touches, Spirit Productions’ Peter Pan proves that a glitzier interactive version of this well-known tale can effectively stay true to the story’s original themes. Sitting in the well laid out casino showroom, my niece and I rediscovered the value of embracing our inner child in the face of impending adulthood. Photo: The Eldorado, Reno, Nevada, by Kevin Reeves
Setting the interactive and boisterous tone, the play smartly opens with a high-spirited song and dance number from the streets of London, introducing the production’s awesome secret weapon: Gus Curry, who plays Mr. Smee. Although not in true pirate character until later scenes, Curry wastes no time flexing his ample talents early-on, maintaining storybook narrative flow while also breaking the fourth wall and engaging those of us in our seats to cheer, boo, and hiss upon command. Sounds corny, right? But somehow, it isn’t corny at all! We’re quickly schooled in the art of a "true English audience," and in one fell swoop Curry manages to activate the most unique aspect of the night: audience participation, which transforms and escalates as the show unfolds. If we aren’t dodging tiny streams of water shot into our seats, then we’re gathering "magic rocks" (foam cubes) from our feet and throwing them back at the scurvy pirates and their ringleader Captain Hook.
Usually, I maintain a level of detached observation as befits my art-snob character when reviewing a performance, but even my cynical heart quickly melted. As if the call-and-response nature of the play wasn’t enough to keep us thoroughly entertained, several other golden threads run throughout the show. There’s impressively smooth wire work levitating Pan to flip-worthy heights, trampoline-assisted tumbling acrobatics and physical comedy, stunning aerialist maneuvers, hand-painted sets that dreamily walk the line between cartoon and stage play, Vegas-kissed sequin costumes which avoid over-the-top tackiness to add glamorous flare, plus many solid performances. Photo by Kevin Reeves: Juliette gives Eldorado's 'Peter Pan' 2 Thumbs Up!
Honorable mention goes to the subversive adult humor hidden coyly throughout the show’s dialogue; the saltier jokes sail over kids’ heads, while still pulling chortles and blushes from us adults. If faces can talk (well, they can – but you know what I mean), Curry’s face basically narrates the whole story. As Captain Hook’s morally conflicted first mate Mr. Smee, Curry’s expressions are spot-on throughout moments ranging from comic to bittersweet, serious to silly, bewildered to lucid and all emotional states between.
Simultaneously, Curry flings and contorts his body every which way to solicit laughs and cheers from children AND adults. We eat him up, and quickly find ourselves looking to him as the dark horse storyteller behind each scene. Not to be outdone is Daniel Fenaughty’s oily-cum-debonair Hook. When a rowdy audience member yells to him "We’re scared of you!", Denaughty doesn’t miss a beat before expertly improvising back: "Well, good. Then I guess I’ll get my paycheck this week!" His delivery of scripted lines is equally pleasing, as he staggers about the stage, blurring the line between live-action and animated character. Denaughty earns kudos for keeping a tall, dark and foreboding presence while still proving slapstick and funny, a difficult trick to pull off, which seems quite natural for Denaughty.
In line with decades of tradition, Young has cast a female in the title role. Peter Pan’s forever-young character is nailed by Penni Tovey, whose plucky antics keep smiles on everyone’s faces. Tovey provides exactly what we expect and want from her part: in-your-face arrogance, with a wink and a nod to the side, blending the brashness and innocence of youth. All the trappings of eternal childhood are there, reminding us of our formative years’ brightest moments – the moments we can still evoke in adulthood, if we simply alter perception enough to remember and believe. Courtesy Photo: Tinkerbelle in Peter Pan at the Eldorado, Reno, NV
Larissa Klinger’s Tinkerbelle is mischievous, bratty, a primadonna and sharp-tongued; again, exactly what we seek in the character. And the demure Wendy Darling, perched on the precipice dividing "girl" from "young lady," was acted with sing-song clarity by Claire Russell. At first I found the Christmas-themed finish to be a bit contrived and last-minute, but then again my niece –and the majority of the audience around me– clearly disagreed, lighting up with awe and delight when the snow fell magically from the ceiling onto our heads, and the play’s big finish melded the idea of eternally-youthful thoughts with holiday season sentiments.
To say the least, producer Clinton Young’s Peter Pan is a great journey for fans of the original story and also for folks in search of new twists. Regardless of your age: the interactive fun, well choreographed dance and fight scenes, high-end sets, perfectly-paced banter, and surprisingly enjoyable acting are worth much more than the admission price. This production is definitely a holiday treat for all ages. Escape to the Eldorado Hotel Casino, named "Best Rooms and Suites" by Casino Player Magazine, where every detail has been considered in order to provide you with the stay of a lifetime. Experience timeless luxury and friendly, personal service in the heart of Downtown Reno, the ultimate downtown Reno hotel vacation. Enjoy a Broadway-style production in the opulent Eldorado Showroom, spectacular bars and lounges, since 1973.
http://www.eldoradoreno.com
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