"Peter Pan" soars through first weekend

"Peter Pan" soared through the Carson City Community Center Sunday afternoon with a very appreciative crowd of kids, moms, dads, and grandparents looking on.

And why not? The lost boys were charming, Wendy was poised and precious, the pirates were grisly, and Hook has never been more ghoulish, or colorful, or funny. But talk to the kids at intermission, and it was the flying that captured their imaginations.

"I like the flying best," 11-year-old Danielle Williams said with an almost dreamy smile.

"It's a wonderful production. It has exceeded all my expectations," said Nina Sawyer who watched with her grandchildren Dylan and Sara in tow.

"I think it's great," grandson Dylan Stevenson said. "This one is better than the (animated) Peter Pan because its more like real."

This is the fully-staged, original Broadway version of Peter Pan directed by Jeffrey Scott, director of such acclaimed local productions as "Ruthless ... the Musical," and "Assassins." Musical direction by Marsha Hall and choreography by Gina Kaskie-Davis.

Performances over the weekend drew an estimated 1,400 people and a favorable review from Northern Nevada theater critic Jack Neal, who called it a "smash hit."

The cast and crew "have had so much fun gluing their great-big enterprise together the joy just spills out of every pore ...." Neal wrote.

"Peter Pan" became author Sir James Matthew Barrie's greatest success. Despite the hefty technical requirements, like frequent scene changes, which are challenging to this day, it's these technical aspects: the sets, music, and lighting, that make up the complicated technical dance behind the scenes.

"We've done a little fine tuning," flying director David Thorn said, noting things have gone very smoothly. "The set changes are supposed to be close, but we've had time to spare. At first, we were looking around, trying to figure out what we had forgotten... It's been working like a well-oiled machine."

"Peter Pan" flies high one more weekend with shows on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., and a final show on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16 for the general public, $12 for students and $10 for children 10 and under. They can be purchased at the Brewery Arts Center at 449 West King Street in Carson City, or by credit card by calling (775) 883-1976.

IF YOU GO

What: "Peter Pan"

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Carson City Community Center

Cost: $16 for the general public, $12 for students and $10 for children 10 and under

For information: (775) 883-1976