Published: 11:40 AM, Mon Feb 08, 2010
'Peter Pan' flies high
Director Bo Thorp was concerned that the cast of "Peter Pan" might be rusty after two weekend performances were canceled because of snow.
She didn't need to worry.
At a Thursday night performance, Megan Ellis, Dirk Lumbard and the rest of the actors delivered near-flawless performances that brought to life the classic story of a magical boy who won't grow up.
Ellis, who served as an understudy to Cathy Rigby in a Branson, Mo., production of the musical, proved she's more than up to the challenge of the lead role. Ellis perfectly captured Peter Pan's energy, joy and yes, his loneliness.
Lumbard, a frequent CFRT guest, disappeared completely into the role of Captain Hook, taking the audience along on a giddy ride. It's a treat to see a talented actor having such fun with a performance.
The play opens in the bedroom of Wendy, John and Michael Darling, played by Mary Mattison Vallery, Austin Griggs and Gray Hurley. The children are getting ready to go to bed as their parents, (Nicki Hart and Lumbard, in a dual role) are going out to dinner.
Mrs. Darling frets about a boy she has seen lurking about. He left his shadow behind, and Mrs. Darling worries that he might come back to retrieve it.
After the children have gone to sleep and the parents leave, he does just that. Accompanied by a brilliant green light called Tinkerbell, Peter Pan swoops in from a window.
Wendy, the oldest of the Darling children, awakens to find this strange boy in her bedroom. When she asks the visitor where he's from, he describes a magical, yet dangerous place called Never-Never Land.
Wendy wants to visit this place, but only if her younger brothers can come, too. Peter agrees and, with the help of a little fairy dust, gives them the ability to fly like him.
Never-Never Land turns out to be sprung straight from a boy's imagination, a place where pirates do battle with Indians and a crew of Lost Boys, separated from their mothers, wander a fantastical landscape.
The Lost Boys and Peter convince Wendy to be their surrogate mother and accompany them on their adventures. Those adventures include sword fights with a comically murderous Captain Hook and his band of inept pirates.
Thursday night, the energy level was high, even before Ellis came on stage. Once she appeared, it notched even higher.
The actress never flagged in a role that required her to be almost a human whirlwind. She expertly conveyed the contradictory moods of a young boy, from overweening confidence to deepest despair.
Lumbard was the perfect foil for Ellis. The Broadway veteran gleefully created a pirate more comical than frightening. Johnny Depp would have approved.
The smaller roles were just as ably filled.
Mary Mattison Vallery, a high school freshman, was in nearly as many scenes as Peter Pan and displayed an excellent understanding of the role. Robbie Gay, playing Hook's cowardly sidekick, Smee, utilized pin-point timing to get many of the play's biggest laughs.
Andrea Mislan did double duty, playing Tiger Lily and choreographing the play. Her talents were evident, particularly in an elaborately choreographed Indian dance number.
The flying scenes, which couldn't have been easy to pull off, seemed to work without a hitch. Kudos to an obviously busy backstage crew.
In a time when we all could use a little magic, "Peter Pan" provides it in spades. It's an enchanting depiction of an exhilarating, terrifying place called childhood.
Staff writer Rodger Mullen can be reached at mullenr@fayobserver.com or 486-3561.
Peter Pan
Where: Cape Fear Regional Theatre, 1209 Hay St.
When: Through Feb. 21, with performances Wednesdays through Sundays.
Tickets: $20-$28
Lunch with Peter: On Feb. 13, 14 and 20 at 1 p.m., children can come dressed as their favorite "Peter Pan" character and meet Peter Pan. Admission is $10.
Information: 323-4233 or www.cfrt.org