Peter Pan review in the
Chicago
Tribune
Here is a rave review of Peter Pan that
appeared in the Chicago Tribune on
Friday, October 31st; it is written by Nancy Maes. Read on:
'Peter Pan' soars with
change of
venue
Chicago Playworks production
of "Peter Pan" is
inspired.
Namby pamby traditional green tights are nonexistent and innovation takes
center stage. Director Susan Leigh had the bright idea
of setting the play in the nitty-gritty streets of Chicago in 1997. Under
her deft hand, and with a multitalented artistic team, it makes perfect
sense. Although nothing of the well-known musical based on the play by
James Barrie has been changed, the production is a glorious and gutsy
rejuvenation of the story and the characters.
The Pirates and the Indians are portrayed as rival street kids
dressed in modern garb. Hook and his cohorts appear in black leather
accessorized with feather boas and heavy chains. The Indians are a
colorful group dressed in clothes approximating the grunge look. They
could all very well be part of a "West Side Story" sprinkled with fairy
dust. The Lost Boys, and Peter Pan too, with their ragged khakis, white
shirts and navy blue vests seem to have stepped out of a J. Crew catalog.
The contemporary looks not only bring the story home, but have the added
advantage of undercutting any racist or sexist elements of the
text.
Some of the dance sequences could be at home on MTV, especially when the
Indians move to a hip-hop beat and add a bit of breakdancing. The decor,
which uses urban junk ranging from old hubcaps to discarded crates, has
the feel of a piece of folk art. Found objects are used as weapons, thus
adding a playful nature to the violent scenes.
Leigh never lets the visuals get in the way of telling a good story,
though, about characters in search of a nurturing mother. The theme is
even more poignant knowing that the tale was created by Barrie for five
boys whom he adopted when their parents died. Peter, played by
Meredith Weeks flies through the air with ease but has
his feet firmly on the ground. Wendy Carter is a
wonderful Wendy Darling as she wavers between childhood and adulthood,
reality and pretend. David Dastmalchian is menacing as
the villian Hook. Peter reigns over all the marvelous, make-believe
mayhem, making sure that the joy and freedom of childhood will never,
never be forgotten.
BACK
*Review reprinted with permission from the Tribune Media
Services, Copyright 1997