Peter Pan • November 5, 2024 • Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Alisha Gregson
The newly reimagined production of Peter Pan brought magic to the stage at Eccles Theater. The thrilling musical has been captivating audiences of all ages for nearly 70 years. Now with new changes, the production continues to keep its audience hooked. Opening night brought in a crowd full of kids, many attending the theater for the first time. With its beautiful starry sky, Eccles Theater was the perfect setting for Peter Pan.
The performance began in the shared bedroom of the Darling children. Of all the changes made to this production, the only ones I didn’t love took place in the opening scene. Instead of being set in Victorian London, the story took place in modern-day America. The three Darling children were seen playing on phones and tablets while expressing their desire to go viral. The setting however didn’t have a modern feel. With Wendy in her nightgown, and the three kids sharing a large nursery-style room, the modern references felt out of place and unnecessary. I was also disappointed that Nana, the family’s devoted St. Bernard was replaced with an unaware teenage babysitter. I will admit that at this point I started to wonder if I would enjoy the show as much as I had hoped.
Any reservations I felt quickly faded away the moment Peter Pan jumped through the bedroom window, spilling pixie dust all over the stage. Accompanied by Tinkerbell, a magical bouncing ball of light, Nolan Almeida played the perfect Peter Pan. Traditionally, an adult woman is cast for the role of Peter Pan, so it was surprising to see Almeida. He did an excellent job portraying the lead character and proved to be a talented actor and incredible singer.
While frantically searching the room for his lost shadow, Peter Pan accidentally awakens the oldest Darling daughter, Wendy, played by Hawa Kamara. While Kamara did a phenomenal job, the role of Wendy received a few rewrites that surprised me. Instead of not wanting to grow up, this version was a more mature Wendy, eager to become an adult, attend medical school, and become a surgeon. Her ambitious goal to become a doctor came in handy as she reached for her suture kit to reattach Pan’s shadow. The two Darling boys were played by William Foon as John, and Camden Kwok as Michael. The two boys were especially fun to watch, and they did an incredible job keeping up with their adult co-stars.
The journey to Neverland was easily the most magical scene of the night. As Peter Pan and the Darling children soared above the stage, the digital effects were unbelievable. One of the production’s biggest strengths was how impressive the set designs and effects were. The use of elaborate set decor, mixed with the interactive digital backdrop kept the audience captivated.
Upon their arrival to Neverland, we were introduced to the lost boys. Wendy gladly took on the role of their mother, while Peter hesitantly agreed to play the role of Father. We soon learn of their rivalry with Tiger Lily, played by talented singer-songwriter Raye Zaragoza. Tiger Lily, and the entire plot involving the Indigenous tribe all received a much-needed and well-done rewrite. Replacing “Ugg a Wug,” was an exciting new song, “Friends Forever.” During this song, Peter Pan and Tiger Lily end their rivalry and join together to defend themselves against their common enemy, Captain Hook.
In the role of Captain Hook, Cody Garcia stole the show. Garcia’s performance was flawless, and their chemistry with Kurt Perry as Smee was wonderfully entertaining. Hook’s loyal gang of pirates set on helping Hook destroy Peter Pan, opened the second act with another new and exciting song, “We Hate Those Kids,” sung to the same tune as “I Won’t Grow Up.”
“Friends Forever” and “We Hate Those Kids,” fit right in with the old classic songs like “I Gotta Crow,” “Hook’s Tango,” and “I Won’t Grow Up.” In addition to adding a couple of new songs, they also added “When I Went Home,” an old song that was cut before the premiere of the 1954 musical. The choreography for the dance numbers as well as the flying sequences were incredible and brought an exciting energy to the theater.
After defeating Hook with the help of the tick tick croc, Wendy, John, Michael, and The Lost Boys all returned to the Darling home. Peter Pan chose to stay in Neverland but promised to visit. The children entered their room to find Mrs. Darling singing “Tender Sheperd” while both parents anxiously awaited their return. In the final scene of the night, Peter Pan returns to visit Wendy as promised, only to find she has already grown up.
Overall, the new adaptation of Peter Pan was a lot of fun for all ages. The talented cast will continue to bring the beloved story to life at Eccles Theatre until November 10, and you won’t want to miss it.
Peter Pan is running at the Eccles Theater until November 10. For ticket information go to Broadway at the Eccles!