Review of Peter Pan

            Naughty pirates, flying tots, and dancing Indians rock the house in Cathy Rigby’s West Coast production of Peter Pan. The show is enthusiastically energetic, and it delivers a tantalizing performance that is both entertaining and funny. Peter Pan, played by the medal-winning Olympic gymnast Rigby herself, shows that athletes can be successful in theater as well as sports. But hold on to your hats, the show has much more to offer than somersaults and flying actors.

            Peter Pan is a story about three young children who are befriended by a magical young boy who takes them to Neverland, an enchanted place filled with adventure and danger. But mind you, this is not just a show for kids, but audience members of every age group. The witty dialogue, enticing choreography, and brilliant set is kid-friendly as well as entertaining for parents and adults alike. There are several top-rate actors who deserve just as much recognition as the lead. Captain Hook, played by well-known Broadway actor Howard Gillian, holds his own merit by delivering a brilliant and funny portrayal of the dastardly pirate who will stop at nothing to get Peter Pan. The child actors, whose performances don’t miss a beat, are a pleasure to watch, and even the performances of the animal actors, a crocodile and a dog, are funny and noteworthy. The choreographed wirework is superb, and the outstanding music makes me wish that every musical was accompanied by a pit orchestra.

            Peter Pan is playing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada through October 10^th, and at the Pantages Theater November 9^th thru the 21^st.

For Center Stage, this is Jenell Rae.