Few surprises and a somewhat serious veneer
By:Stuart Duncan
The production of Peter Pan by Playful Theatre Productions at Kelsey Theatre on the campus of Mercer County Community College has a century-long history behind it. The character of Peter, the little boy who refused to grow up, made its first appearance in a J.M. Barrie short story in a book titled The Little White Bird, published in 1902. The character caught on and by 1905, the first play, a musical, was on stage, starring Maude Adams who would continue to play Peter until she was well into her 60s.
By 1908 a novel, Peter and Wendy, was selling fast and the revivals continue to this day. Jerome Kern wrote the score for one version in 1924, three years before Showboat. Leonard Bernstein tried his hand with music for the story in 1950 with a Broadway show that starred Jean Arthur and Boris Karloff.
But the definitive musical appeared in 1954 when Jerome Robbins was asked to produce a version for the Los Angeles and San Francisco Light Civic Opera Associations. He called on Julie Styne and later Betty Comden and Adolph Green for music and lyrics. Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard starred and a legend was born. In truth, the Broadway production was only a modest triumph. It was the TV taping in a Brooklyn warehouse that introduced the story to millions and is the production used today. Countless revivals have been staged over the last half century, Cathy Rigby and Sandy Duncan being two of the Peters.
I tell you all this in some detail, because the program at Kelsey not only doesn’t mention it, but fails to even list Mr. Barrie or, indeed, the composer.
The Playful Production has been directed by Dr. Linda Burson, who seems to have taken an academic approach to the material. That calls for few surprises and a somewhat serious veneer. Interestingly, the roles of Mr. Darling and Captain Hook, which recently are doubled by the same actor and therefore add a tiny measure of spark, here are played by two different performers. Likewise, the role of Lisa, the nursemaid, stuck into the tale only because Mary Martin insisted that a role be found for her stepdaughter, continues here, although without the dance with the animals. It is meaningless. So, too, is the fact that this staging includes only two animals, who do nothing except wander in and out.
But these directorial choices aside, there are some good performances in the large company. Maggie Mustico is a fine Peter, her voice cracking at just the right pitch to suggest a young boy, her singing voice pleasant and comfortable. Marty Berrien is obviously having a great time as Captain Hook, although he lacks the sophistication usually associated with the role.
Kathie Stamou is a delightful Wendy and Jordon Etheredge a lithe, but far too young, Tiger Lily. The highlights of the evening come from the ensemble in their dance numbers. The Indian Dance is a knock-out, for example. Credit choreographer Diane Wargo.
Peter Pan, a production of Playful Productions, is at the Kelsey Theatre on the campus of Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Rd., West Windsor, through Dec. 3. Performances are Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. For tickets and information, call (609) 584-9444.