Arts & Entertainment
Review: 'Peter Pan' at Haddam-Killingworth High School
The students at H-K presented the classic musical at their large auditorium at the high school located in Higganum.
If growing up means
It would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree,
I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up
Not me! - “I Won’t Grow Up” Music by Morris “Moose” Charlap and lyrics by Carolyn Leigh
Higganum, CT - The H-K Players presented ‘Peter Pan’ in Haddam-Killingworth High School auditorium this weekend. The students had clearly worked hard to produce this three-act musical that continues to delight audiences of all ages. Who can resist the boy who refuses to grow up and the charm of Wendy, John and Michael Darling who along with the Lost Boys do battle with Captain Hook and his band of pirates? What fun it is to follow the antics of the fairy Tinker Bell and watch the dance moves of Tiger Lily and her tribe.
Peter Pan was first introduced by JM Barrie in 1901 in the short story, Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up. The stage version was introduced in 1904 but the full musical version wasn’t created until 1954. It was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins and starred Mary Martin. Famous Peter Pans to follow have included Sandy Duncan and Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby who won the Tony in 1998.
The H-K production did not include any real flying, but there was the suggestion of it with two well-placed seesaws and large shadow puppets (see the logo above) carried through the aisles. The rest of the production values were of so high quality that I didn’t really miss the hooking up to wires. Wonderful costumes and impressive sets lit very well and a super live orchestra featuring mostly student musicians partnering with a few professionals made for a great show. The closing night audience delighted in clapping to prove that we all believed in fairies.
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I was most impressed with the performance of Allegra Rosa in the title role of Peter Pan. This junior at H-K High School already has her Actor’s Equity Card and has credits at Hartford Stage (Fan in the annual ‘A Christmas Carol’) and Goodspeed Opera House (Bielke in ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’) She also has a slew of impressive performances as a singer and it showed in every musical number as Peter, traditionally played by a female actor. Ms. Rosa is a natural onstage and moved like an experienced dancer in this role; she lit up the stage with her talent and was nicely supported by her classmates as she did.
