Broadway in Chicago’s “Peter Pan,” with Nolan Almeida and Hawa Kamara/Photo: Matthew Murphy
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Are you fed up with “adulting”? Wouldn’t it be nice to travel back to childhood and never grow up? Good news! You don’t have to fly to the second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning; instead, just land at the Nederlander Theatre to see the current production of Peter Pan!
The latest Broadway in Chicago show has all the heart and warmth of its previous stage and screen iterations, but with a few surprises to delight even those, like me, who’ve experienced the property numerous times throughout their life.
Forever child Peter Pan (Nolan Almeida) bursts through the window of the Darling residence looking for his rogue shadow and mischievous fairy friend, Tinkerbell—played by a twinkling light whose frenetic flight is a marvel of technical wizardry. While searching the children’s room, he makes the acquaintance of Wendy (Hawa Kamara), whom he convinces to accompany him to the island of Never Never Land, along with her brothers John (William Foon) and Michael (Reed Epley), leaving behind their workaholic father, Mr. Darling (Cody Garcia) and complacent mother, Mrs. Darling (Shefali Deshpande). A sprinkling of fairy dust has everyone singing “I’m Flying” as they launch toward a land of adventure where you never age.
When I say fly, I mean FLY! Hoisted on wires, the bedroom set disappears as a floor-to-ceiling screen plays an animation that feels like a rollercoaster that twists, turns, dives and swoops through tall city buildings and into space.
Other special effects are equally impressive. After Peter finds his shadow in the Darling’s house, I remember thinking, “There’s no way they could recreate the scene from the popular animated film.” But they do! A well-timed interlude has the now inseparable pair dancing and flying in and out of sync, another unexpected and pleasing spectacle.
Broadway in Chicago’s “Peter Pan,” with Nolan Almeida, Cody Garcia, Hawa Kamara and the cast/Photo: Matthew Murphy
While the special effects are great, humor takes center stage. The infamous Captain Hook (Garcia) speaks with a Scottish brogue and flails about with gangly limbs; yet he sings like an angel. Brandishing his trademark hook at his band of jolly pirates, a frightened squeal from second-in-command Smee (Kurt Perry) makes for a funny running gag. A slack-jawed talking moon, ticking crocodile (Christina Hélène Braa) with a taste for pirate flesh and outlandish battles between pirates and Peter’s gang of Lost Boys are recurring elements that keep the chuckles coming.
The young cast give an exceptional performance. Kamara as Wendy is bright, effervescent and lights the room with her smile. Foon and Epley as Wendy’s siblings are utterly adorable. Almeida as Peter Pan speaks with a New York City accent, like a flying “Newsie,” and brings a wealth of energy to the role. Any child viewing the show will identify with one of these characters.
For adults, the show will make you feel like a kid again, a feeling bolstered by the delightful giggles and shouts of children in the audience. The fantastic special effects, fabulous acting and dancing and capable renditions of popular songs in “Peter Pan” will make you believe that dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough.
“Peter Pan” runs through April 7 at the Nederlander Theatre, 20 East Randolph. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7pm (with a Wednesday matinee at 1pm on April 3), Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays at 1pm. Tickets are $45-$135; available at broadwayinchicago.com.
