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Regional Reviews: Las Vegas Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure Also see Mary's review of Cabaret
While this is a slightly updated version of Barrie's tale, it is still firmly rooted in boyhood fantasy, so if you aren't entertained by onstage battles and frequent threats of painful death, its charms might elude you. But if you can put yourself in the mind of a 10-year-old boy, it's all good fun. In general, the cast are stronger singers than they are actors, but the lead roles are well performed. Joel Ruud and Gabrielle Cook deliver solid performances as Peter and Wendy, respectively, and Timothy Burris shines in the dual roles of Mr. Darling and Captain Hook. Cynthia Vodovoz does a fine job as Mrs. Darling; her act two duet with Wendy ("Just Beyond the Stars") is a musical high point. Nana the dog is a puppet (designed and built by Andres Ramirez), nicely manipulated by Kyara Isis Williams as the Darlings' maid Liza. Some of the best scenes are those that feature Tiger Lily and the Neverland Natives, reimagined here as a band of aboriginal warriors. Jaida Albanito is a fierce Tiger Lily, with a strong voice and powerful stage presence. The Natives' dance number is a near showstopper, thanks to Dawn Campbell's sharp choreography and heart-pounding execution by the dancers. The production is visually rich, with creative scenic and costume designs by director Steve Huntsman. Thanks to the venerable Flying by Foy, the flying sequences run smoothly, although they are too cautious to be thrilling. For the most part, Jay LeDane's lighting serves the production well; at the performance I attended, however, a crucial reveal involving the crocodile was shrouded in darkness. And the show felt too long, to the point where the audience was almost too sleepy to save Tinkerbell. Hopefully the pace has picked up since I saw it; fairies are in short supply. Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure continues through August 18, 2018 (Thursday-Saturday at 8:05 pm) at the Super Summer Theatre, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, 6375 NV Rte. 159, Las Vegas NV. For tickets and further information, go to www.supersummertheatre.org. Cast: Additional Creative:
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