Music Circus’s “Peter Pan” Delightfully Entertains
By Patrick Witz
Staff Reporter
 When one hears “Peter Pan”, what comes to mind… happy thoughts, pixie dust, flying, Tinker Bell, Lost Boys, mermaids, sinister pirates, tic-tock-croc, Captain Hook? We all know from our youth the over one-hundred-year-old Sir J. M. Barrie “Peter Pan, The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up” story. Add to those foggy childhood memories… colorful exuberant actors; superb directing; brilliantly choreographed dance; familiar head-bobbing-toe-tapping songs; fabulously adapted presentation in a round theater that’s packed with an excited participatory audience… you get Music Circus’s high-flying live musical performance “Peter Pan” at the Wells Fargo Pavilion in Sacramento. Photo by Kevin Graft, Jenn Colella as Peter Pan
 Music Circus bills this performance as a, “High-flying adventure that enchants audiences of all ages;” whereas, Theatre Critics raved, “exhilarating… purely delightful…ageless”. Without question, those critics and Music Circus were truthfully honest... “Peter Pan” was an entertaining magical journey back to one’s youth. Peter Pan was first introduced by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie in his 1902 adult novel “The Little White Bird”. Barrie elaborated on the Peter Pan character and scripted a 1904 London play entitled “Peter Pan, The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up”. Being extremely popular, it ran through 1913. Barrie adapted and expanded the play’s story line as a novel in 1911, “Peter and Wendy”. Photo by Kevin Graft: (L to R) Joshua Davis as Michael Darling, Jake DuPree as Nana, Lori Eve Marinacci as Wendy Darling and Aidan Winn as John Darling in Peter Pan
Since inception, “Peter Pan” morphed into numerous similar versions: 1924 Paramount Pictures silent film (first film adaption); the popular 1953 animated Walt Disney production “Peter Pan”; 1991 “Hook” live-action sequel by Steven Spielberg; 2002 “Return to Never Land” an animated sequel to the 1953 Disney film; 2003 “Peter Pan” live action film released by Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios; 2015 “Pan” live-action film by Warner Bros.; and 2015 “Peter and Wendy” drama based on J.M. Barrie’s novel.
 This 65th Music Circus season’s production of “Peter Pan” features a creative team, and as well, three actors from the Tony Award-nominated 1998 Broadway production that also became the touring version, and was made into an Emmy-winning A&E TV special: Glenn Casale, Director; Pattie Colombo, Choreographer; Paul Rubin, Flying Sequence Choreographer; and Actors, Paul Schoeffler (Mr. Darling/Captain Hook), Michael Nostrand (Smee), and Kim Arnett (Ensemble/Dance Captain). All the co-stars are wonderfully seasoned actors, some making their Music Circus debut. Their theatrical experiences truly made the play spectacular. Photo by Charr Crail Jenn Colella as Peter Pan and Paul Schoeffler as Captain Hook
Original or adaptation, the chief persona of Peter Pan is a stereotypical careless, adventuresome, fearless, self-centered, uneducated youth that possessing magic, an attitude, and lives in a mystically always fun and dangerous world where he refuses to grow up. That’s a male character personality mouthful; however in theatrical reality, young male Peter Pan most often on stage is played by a small adult woman. Jenn Colella’s impressive portrayal as Peter Pan fulfilled the persona flawlessly. Lori Eve Marinacci’s portrayal of motherly Wendy Darling character was as outstanding as her voice, and her duet’s with Jenn Colella (Peter Pan) were simply beautiful.
 Music Circus Peter Pan’s archenemy, Captain Hook, lived up to his villainy vengeful role up to his surprising demise of leaping off ship (stage) and followed by an exploding bomb (In the 1953 animated production, Hook lives on, as Walt Disney anticipated an on-going Captain Hook love/hate relationship with audiences). From his initial appearance, Paul Schoeffler, superbly executed the Captain Hook role, repeatedly taking the audience on a fun rollercoaster ride of expected dastardly meanness to hilarious wacky out-of-character antics of song, dance, and phobias. Captain Hook’s shadowing boatswain sidekick Mr. Smee, wonderful played by Michael Nostrand, was an audience favorite, always drawing a smile/laugh, typically at the Captain’s expense. The bumbling light-switch on/off mutinous pirate crew were marvelous throughout in song and dance. Photo by Kevin Graft: (L to R) Paul Schoeffler as Captain Hook, Michael Nostrand as Smee and Adam Lendermon, Garett Hawe and Steve Geary as the Pirates in Peter Pan
 The Native American and Lost Boys performances were masterfully choreographed and performed… especially Tiger Lily, Desiree Davar, introduction and the celebratory drumming number involving the Native American tribe, Darling children, and Lost Boys. Jake DuPree’s wonderful animation of Nana the Darling’s Dog and Captain Hook’s the red-eyed nemesis Tic-Tock Crocodile needs mention. The art of flying on stage has never been easy… with harnesses, pullies, cables, hook-ups, releases, and just overall safety for the actors magically flying overhead and audience below. However, regardless challenges, Paul Rubin, Flying Sequence Choreographer handled it expertly. The audience knows how it’s done, but performed in a non-interrupting non-obstructing manner gave credence to magic within the storyline. Photo by Kevin Graft: Desireé Davar as Tiger Lily and Jenn Colella as Peter Pan in Peter Pan
 The live orchestra under conductor Jeff Rizzo was outstanding and timing of sound effects perfect. Considering the props used within Music Circus require simplicity for quick change, everything was nicely presented and adeptly handled by the stage crew. Wells Fargo Theater offers excellent viewing for the entire audience, the concessions are good, and the Operation’s staff, Interns, Ushers, professional, kind, and helpful. Photo by Kevin Graft: Jake DuPree as Nana in Peter Pan
 Music Circus “Peter Pan” musical was based on the 1904 play by Sir J. M. Barrie, with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, music by Morris (Moose) Charlap, and original direction, choreograph, and adaptation by Jerome Robbins, star’s Jenn Colella (Peter Pan) and Paul Schoeffler (Mr. Darling/Captain Hook). Overall, Music Circus’s “Peter Pan” musical play is unquestionably complimentary to the original storyline and play by Sir J. M. Barrie. Director Glenn Casale masterfully blended today’s talents and production techniques to create a spectacular musical presentation of “Peter Pan” that honestly is a delightful high-flying adventure enchanting audiences of all ages. Photo by Charr Crail: Jenn Colella as Peter Pan and Desireé Davar as Tiger Lily with the Indians in Peter Pan
Music Circus’s musical play “Peter Pan” runs July 21 through July 26 at 7:30pm. Matinee performances Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm. Special pricing’s available for children age 4-12 at $40; regular price tickets range $40-$83. Tickets are available by phone at (916)557-1999, online at http://Tickets.com or at the Wells Fargo pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street in Sacramento.
 Music Circus is produced under the leadership of Artistic Director Glenn Casale, who has been Artistic Director for California Musical Theatre since 2008 and has directed more than 50 productions for Music Circus and Broadway Sacramento over the past 20 years, and Executive Producer Scott Klier. In celebration of the 65th season, California Musical Theatre is offering EXCLUSIVE MUSIC CIRCUS MERCHANDISE for sale at every performance this season. There is a nice selection of items to meet all interests and budgets. You can find show specific items like buttons and t-shirts as well as Music Circus specific items like totes, wine tumblers and blankets. www.SacramentoMusicCircus.com www.CaliforniaMusicalTheatre.com
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