'Peter Pan' at the Warner Theatre - My Review

As you have probably heard, the big summer show at the Warner Theatre in Torrington is Peter Pan. It opened on Saturday night at 7:30pm to a house that was 1,000 patrons strong. The very excited audience was made up of many young children who definitely believe in fairies and brought along their nostalgic adults (and one jaded teenager that sat next to me.) Everyone else couldn’t wait to see the boy who will never grow up fly over the magnificent Warner Stage.

The audience knew that it was in for a treat even before the curtain opened. Director Roxie Quinn joined Warner Executive in Charge of Production Sharon A. Wilcox onstage in order to warm up the crowd and Tinkerbell herself landed on Ms. Quinn’s palm. The director may have had some assistance from the little green fairy while she lovingly produced the musical with which she is involved at the Warner for the third time. She hopes that this version “still brings out the excitement and whimsy of past Peter Pans, but also that you find new ways to laugh and enjoy the show.” I would say that she succeeded on all of the above.

Dan Ringuette conducted the large orchestra that expertly played the beloved score and Ms. Quinn choreographed the fine dance numbers originally done by Jerome Roberts. The musical is of course based on the play by Sir J.M. Barrie, with music by Morris (Moose) Charlap, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, additional music by Jule Stein with additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

And what is really good about this production? Just about everything, beginning with the amazing performance of Erin Spector as she played the flying boy himself for the second time. This triple threat can add “graceful flying” to her bag of tricks and I have never seen a Peter that spread the pixie dust more effectively. Ms. Spector will be married soon after she takes this production’s final flight.

WZBG host John Ozerhoski takes on both the role of Mr. Darling (“A little less noise there”) and the iconic Captain Hook. He has proved that he can do drama brilliantly as Biff Loman in the Warner’s Death of a Salesman, but he was at his comedic best as he played the pirate captain to the hilt. Johnny O fans will not want to miss this one.

The Lost Boys (shout outs to Destiny Butler and Nicole Bregman) were superb, especially when the danced and sang in the aisles for “Ugh-a-Wug; in fact, the director did a fine job of bringing the actors through and around the house at critical points to interact with the delighted audience members. The rag tag bunch of pirates (including my former student Nyomie Butler) worked together as a team and seemed to be having the best of times onstage. As Smee, the very talented Richard McKenna was comedic perfection; he and Mr. Ozerhoski almost stole the show.

Kristen VanDerlyn was a perfectly wonderful Wendy in her first leading role on the Warner stage. Alexander Bilodeau played her brother John and Gavin Anderson played young Michael. Christy Olson was an especially lovely Mrs. Darling, Emily Walsh played Liza the maid (as well as Adult Wendy in the final scene) and Theron Johnson as Nana rounded out the nursery.

In Neverland, Kelsey Morris played the graceful ostrich, Thomas Mueller was strong as Slightly the Lost Boy, Kennedy Morris appeared as one of the twin boys and Michael Meier (Michael in Blessed Sacrament’s Peter Pan) played a principal Lost Boy. Kayleigh Brennan was a very strong Tiger Lily who led a small dancing Indian ensemble. The ticking crocodile was played by Lida Currier and Tink was brought to life thanks to Kevin Hales. Congratulations to every member of the large ensemble cast on a job well done.

Ms. Quinn also designed the impressive set artistically painted by Karla Woodworth, who also managed the props. Susan Becker Aziz designed the magnificent costumes that looked their best when lit by David Zahacewski.

Peter Pan is full of adventure, magic and flying made possible by lots of pixie dust. Children will love the iconic songs “I’m Flying,” “I’ve Gotta Crow,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” and “Never Land” and the nonstop action. Even though the show is done in three acts with one 15-minute intermission, the 7:30 starts ensures that the show ends before 10:00pm and virtually all the children in the audience made it to the end.

Remaining performances are Saturday, August 2 at 7:30 pm, Sunday July 27 & August 3 at 2 pm and Friday, August 1 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $18-26 and can be purchased by calling the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or online at www.warnertheatre.org