BWW Reviews: A High-Flying PETER PAN Soars Across the Chambersburg Community Theatre Stage

In 1904, J.M. Barrie opened his new play, PETER PAN, in London and unknowingly started one of the great theatrical and literary franchises of history. In 1911 the novel came out. Sequels emerged. In 1953, Disney released its animated movie, with Sammy Cahn at the musical helm. And in 1954 came what is most likely the theatrical apotheosis of PETER PAN, the musical version that opened starring Mary Martin as Peter and Cyril Ritchard as the devious Captain Hook. Since then, Sandy Duncan and Cathy Rigby have sailed across the stage as the boy who wouldn't grow up, and its music, or at least certain songs, are known to almost everyone. And the moment of saving Tinkerbell has become an iconic moment both in theatre and in camp humor - clap if you believe in fairies, indeed. Obviously Betty Comden and Adolph Green got it right, with a little help from Jule Styne.

The musical is currently at Chambersburg Community Theatre, where a new Peter Pan and a veteran Captain Hook and their friends once again bring the magic of Neverland to the stage. Ships will sail, crocodiles will tick-tock, dogs will give children their bedtime medicine, and children will fly on any given evening... and the audience will once again suspend disbelief, regardless of age, and, for one brief, childlike moment, believe in fairies, or at least in Tinkerbell. Shawn R. Martin is directing a lavish production at the Capitol Theatre in Chambersburg, beautifully costumed. It's dedicated to the memory of a great CCT supporter and volunteer, and friend of this writer, Carol Tschop, who would have been proud of this production of PETER PAN.

Music teacher Kelly West is Peter, and is transformed from an ordinary mortal to the flying boy who won't grow up. She's not the classic blond Peter, but she's classic in every other sense, and yes, she flies (with a little help from Foy, the folks who first sprinkled fairy dust on Mary Martin). So do Wendy and the other Darling children, John and Michael. Wendy, also known as Kaytlin Greenawalt, does a splendid job of conveying just how much she doesn't really want to be mother to an island full of Lost Boys just yet, as well as of singing. John and Michael are Noah Gross and Gregory Freeman, Jr., and they are charming as Wendy's younger brothers who aren't quite ready to behave. Nana (who is also the crocodile) is played by Lauren Gabler, who certainly seems to be having fun as the world's greatest nursemaid, even when Mr. Darling doesn't understand. West's Peter is, indeed, as he (?) proclaims to Captain Hook, joy, and youth, and freedom.

Captain Hook, the most dastardly dastard ever, the most infamously piratical of fiendish bad guys, is played by Lee Merriman, who gives a very fine performance even while seeing to it that no scenery went unchomped - as well Hook should. It's supposed to be a part of swaggering, blustering bravado immediately tempered by his hysterical fear of crocodiles and his dependence on the lovable, non-blustering Smee, and Merriman goes for it wholeheartedly, though he's not exactly grabbing for it with both hands, is he? Botswain Smee, in charge of and on top of everything, as well as having to bodyguard Hook from anything vaguely reminiscent of a crocodile, is Christian Witmer, who projects that very lovability that bothers Hook. He can do that while fighting crocodiles, which is no mean feat - he's the only man able to wrangle those giant reptiles and project that image outside of the late Steve Irwin. Witmer may be only 13, but he's got the chops of an older comic actor.

Kudos to the costumers; although the costumes were first designed for another production elsewhere in the area, they're looking great here as well, especially Peter's and Hook's. The set design is certainly nice, and the backdrops lovely - this is, all in all, a very nicely handled show technically. Shawn Martin's direction pulled together many disparate threads to achieve the look on this show, and the look simply works. But it's really all about Peter, Wendy, and Hook, isn't it, and there haven't been better ones in the area lately.

By all means go; just try to refrain from singing along, because some of the songs in this show are in many people's DNA at this point. (Yes, that would be all of you humming along to "I'm Flying" and"Hook's Waltz" on opening night. You were seen.) On stage at the Capitol Theatre in Chambersburg through May 18. Call 717-263-0202 or visit www.cctonline.org for tickets and information.

Photo Credit: Crystal's Candids

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