Peter Pan review in the Chicago Sun-Times

Here is a rave review of Peter Pan that appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times on Friday, November 7th; it is written by Sue Ontiveros. Read on:


'Peter Pan' by Playworks offers kids flight of fancy


Delightful surprises are what makes Chicago Playworks' production of "Peter Pan" so much more than yet another retelling of a classic.

Little surprises pop up in the updates of the story, scenery and costumes. Take the opening, for example. Yes, we're in the nursery of the Darling family as Mom and Dad are preparing to leave for an evening out. In walks Nana, that unusual dog nanny. Now, in most productions Nana is a human in a dog suit, as she is here. But in Playworks' presentation, she is a human in dog costume walking on all fours. Her entrance brought giggles from the kids in the audience.

At the onset, this production looks as if it could be set in a nursery in London as the original "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie was. The parents tuck their three children- Wendy, Peter, and Michael- into bed before leaving. Soon, the spirited Peter arrives. He succesfully tempts the Darling children away with the promise to teach them to fly and his description of Neverland, that tantalizing place where children never have to grow up.

But while this Neverland has the dreamy appeal of fantasy, it has one foot firmly rooted in reality. Surprise, in this production, Neverland is in the Chicago Loop, 1997, a downtown without adults, with kids running the place.

As in the original, Peter, the Darling children and his Lost Boys meet up with villains galore, mayhem and adventure. This time though, Peter's nemesis, Captain Hook, may still have a hook for a hand, but he and his gang are more fittingly attired for the '90s in grunge inspired garb.

Peter's other rival (and later, friend), Tiger Lily, is here, too, with her crew, who burst onto the scene on skateboards and in-line skates.

This life of dangerous adventure is fun for a while. And yes, the adult-free Neverland has its allure. Eventually, however, the Darling children and the Lost Boys decide theyn want to return to the normal childhood the Darling household offers. Of course, they don't get there without a wild, final adventure in Neverland.

At the play's end, a wistful Peter is a reminder there is a price to pay for eternal youth, while the grown up Wendy shows us there's always a little nostalgia for the innocence of childhood.

Chicago Playworks' "Peter Pan" is a lively and entertaining production perfect for children of the '90s. It remains true to the timeless classic yet successfully weaves in updates today's kids relate to so well.

The bold, '90s-inspired costumes of Hook's motley crew and Tiger Lily's crowd are great.

Chicago Playworks' "Peter Pan" is a delightful production, full of the original magic and new surprises. The play, which runs a little more than 90 minutes offers a nice balance of fantasy and reality, sure to hold the interest of elementary school children.

The Theatre School and the 1997 Humanities Festival will give a flying lesson at 10 a.m. Saturday at the theater. The hourlong workshop will be conducted by Dean John Ransford Watts and Susan Leigh, the play's director. It's free and open to all. Call the Humanities Festival at (312) 422-5350 for more information. Also, Leigh will give a pre-show talk between 1:15 and 1:45 p.m. Sunday at the theater. Admission is free. Call the box office for details.

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