Guest Review of Peter Pan

Guest Review of Peter Pan

From the rooftops of London to the lagoons of Neverland, Maryvale Preparatory School for Girls’ “Peter Pan” has you swooping amongst the stars, fighting pirates, and romping through the woods.

“Peter Pan” is a classic coming-of-age story that leaves anyone wishing they could never become old. It took off in a 1902 novel, which became various plays, books, movies, and musicals over the years. This fairy tale features the boisterous Peter Pan, a little boy who flew away so he could never grow up. He entices young Wendy Darling and her two brothers out their nursery window and past the second star on the right, hoping Wendy will become the mother of his rag-tag band, the Lost Boys. Every story needs a villain and Captain Jane Hook’s jealousy of Peter for having found a mother and the annoyance his tomfoolery causes makes her perfect for this tale. After defeating the pirates on the Jolly Roger, the Lost Boys and Peter Pan find their happy ending joining the Darling Household with their new mother, Mrs. Darling.

Maryvale’s production makes for an enchanting show, bringing together the old tale and a new interpretation. The cast’s bold character choices and ease working with the set pulls this story from the page.

The cast’s sprightly personas brought the characters to life. Sophia Rampolla’s (Peter Pan) boyish mannerisms, complete with flopping, bouncing, and pacing, worked wonderfully alongside Sophie Koch (Wendy), with her awe filled eyes, bossy stomping, and girlish orders. Also searching for a mother is the unexpectedly touching Captain Jane Hook, which Claire Noppenberger developed into an imposing, yet funny, character with her use of threateningly over-the-top gestures.

To add to the childhood charm were the other unruly inhabitants of Neverland. Destiny Hargrove turns Mr. Smee’s usual sniveling demeanor into a sassy and snappy first mate. Whereas, the Lost Boys bound off the page, particularly Kayla Kozak’s snarky interpretation of Slightly. The Narrator, who was split between a teenage girl looking for guidance and Jane Darling, gave detailed and lyrical descriptions of events and settings throughout the play, which did draw out some scenes but was performed heartily by Marena Gloth (Jane) and Reilly Zumwalt (the Girl). Paige Taranto added her role, Tinkerbell, to the list of delightfully saucy characters with her flippant poise.

The cast worked comfortably with the set, especially when the house built around Wendy toppled onto her. Peter and his Lost Boys sprang to her rescue, responding so naturally it was hard to tell if the collapse was intended. The cast worked effortlessly with the flying harnesses and cables. Rampolla mastered the illusion so gracefully that it seemed she could do it with one hand tied behind her back.

The storybook comes to a close, the children are back in their beds, the Lost Boys have finally found their mother, and the crocodile got that pesky meal. Maryvale’s presentation of “Peter Pan” was a lyrical and charming performance of the classic tale, which will keep audiences young at heart. 

by Anna Wichmann of Annapolis