There is a considerable difference between this production,which has been aired on A&E this year,and the televised performances of the Mary Martin musical stage play that many of us remember from our (misspent)youths.I was originally quite puzzled by this version,as they borrowed a number of the songs from the older show.Consequently,I was startled,and,initially,disappointed,when I saw this production.(During the 1960s and early70s,a large children's theater in University Heights,Ohio,always did "Peter Pan"at Xmas.saw I had some degree of familiarity with that show.Then,in Feb.1985,while living in Marion,Ohio,I did the role of Mr.Smee in a local production.So I DO know the show.)It appears that whoever did the script did a rather free adaptation of the MM version,and borrowed some of the musical numbers.Anybody who insists on the older vehicle has only themselves to hold responsible.This is a dark story,with emphases placed upon destruction,evil,some sexual tensions,and a sensual eroticism that was lacking in the other.These are legitimate aspects to explore.Rigby's portrayal of the title character,with cockney accent,is seen as a very much lost waif,which was minimized in the Martin version.Schoeffler's verile and sexually powerful Hook,sadistic and cruel,is much more sinister than was Ritchard's.In my opinion,there can be no objection to interpretations of this sort.I had some questions as to having Smee coming across as a 15-year-old juvenile delinquent-why?And the mature female,womanly Tiger Lily,again,why?The sets,costumes,props are all first-rate.The choreography is quite impressive,but some of the elaborately done numbers don't fit into the narrative pattern of the story.Case in point;Hook's Tango,while superbly done,stuck out like a sore thumb.The pirates sing and dance,but are not listening to a plot to kill the Lost Boys.It was just a production number-and the way Hook and Smee tango together,I thought I was in a gay bar.Much the same about the "Pow-Wow Polka"-the number done in the Underground Home.It was a splendid song and dance routine,but did nothing to advance the plot-which was to celebrate the alliance between the Boys and the Indians.Take this version on its own merits-wonderfully sung,acted,and produced.
Review of Peter Pan
