REVIEW: PETER PAN, BROADWAY'S TIMELESS MUSICAL

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version Share this

 

By Kathy Carpenter, Associate and Youth Reviewer, SDTheatreReviews

Presented by Young Actors' Theatre at the Encore Theatre in Spring Valley March 20-29

March 31, 2015 (Spring Valley) - Neverland the place where we don't have to grow up. Many adults wish they could go back to this imaginary time of their life. For a couple of hours you can visit this fanciful place with Indians, pirates, fairies and lost boys looking for the mother they never knew.

Peter Pan provides delightful fun. Pure joy. Where the young ensemble, ages 8 - 14, captivated us with their charm, enthusiasm, and ability to perform like pros.

When Peter Pan hears Wendy Darling telling stories to her brothers outside her nursery, he decides to bring her back to Neverland to become the lost boys mother. Wendy insists her brother Michael and John come with her. They all enjoy the adventure for a short time but then decide it's time to return home. All the lost boys go with them Peter Pan stays in Neverland and promises Wendy he will return to bring her to Neverland each year for Spring cleaning.

Levi Laddon, Peter Pan, has risen from the boy I loved as Sabastian, in The Little Mermaid and the gatekeeper in The Wizard of Oz, to the star of the show. A little over the top at times in this one, he definitely wowed  the audience. Cora Nicholls was a real sweety as Wendy. Caedyn Nation impressed me as a first timer in her role aa Mrs. Darling. Adizen Hull was perfect as Nana. A Maestas portrayed a wonderful Tiger Lily. Giovanni Haidor played Captain Hook, a difficult role and though he might need to speak a little clearer, did a good job and has a lot of promise. Kinzie Pipkinn, Smee, rocked it. Kamryn Stinebaugh stood out as an amazing shadow. And Mairin Furlong made an adorable Jane. Of course the show had a huge wonderful cast.who brought all the magic together.

My favorite number was "I Won't Grow Up" By Peter Pan and the lost boys. Great colorful costumes as always and beautiful artwork on the program cover.

This production was directed by Christine Cordova and choreographed by Katie Wallace and Johnathan Hoagland. Matt Ignacio served as music director.

What's next from the amazing YAT? 13 The Musical, ages 11 -15.

PERFORMANCES:

May 28-June 7, 2015

at Encore! Theatre

If you would like to support youth theatre Yat will hold a benefit Gala "Imagine" For the Dreamer in us all on Saturday April 25th, 2015 at the Mission Valley Hilton. Check out http://www.yatsandiego.org.for more information.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.