Take a dash of magic, add a splash of hip-hop, stir in childlike wonder and the finest crocodile this side of Walt Disney World, and you have the makings of Olney Theatre’s production of “Peter Pan: The Musical.”
If you have only a vague recollection of Wendy, Captain Hook, Tinker Bell and the other inhabitants of J.M. Barrie’s magical world, this is a joyful refresher. Director Eve Muson keeps a steady hand on the musical comedy so it has just enough fanciful flights and enchanting extras to enthrall the kids and just enough modern subtext and first-rate musical interludes so as not to lose the adults. And talk about sheer fun — Peter Pan, played by Daniel Townsend, has just the right man-child attitude to pull off rubbing his derriere with soap in the hope of reattaching his shadow to make everyone howl with glee.
Some might quibble that casting a woman in the title role — most famously the extraordinary Mary Martin, who premiered the show on Broadway in 1954 — has become tradition as it underscores the theme of youth and beauty. But with the significant cultural changes since that time — or even since Sandy Duncan famously reprised the Broadway role in 1979 — Townsend’s Pan is perfect for our modern times.
As arguably many adult Americans know, Peter Pan is based on the J.M. Barrie story about a boy who refuses to grow up and eschews all adult responsibilities and attitudes. He entices Wendy Darling to gather her siblings, leave her home and return to him to the island of Neverland, where she is to become surrogate mother to the band of Lost Boys who follow Pan. When Wendy herself becomes an adult after returning home, Pan becomes disenchanted with her, taking her daughter Jane as her substitute.
The tale, of course, can be dark or light, and this production opts for airy. The Darling home — all white and yellow and oversized — Pan’s “West Side Story”-reminiscent garb and even the mannerisms of the evilly enticing Captain Hook (as brilliantly played by Mitchell Hébert) pack the story with whimsy yet never slide from fun into farce. The song-and-dance scenes — including the tunes “Indian Dance” and “Ugg-a-Wugg” — are beautifully paced, performed and produced.
The only dark notes in the whole production are the kid-unfriendly running time — just about 2 1/2 hours long — and some of the costumes. “Why isn’t he green?” squeaked a few members of the tricycle-riding set when Peter appeared sporting a dash of evergreen in his hair and on his face.
Despite these minor quibbles, this high-flying musical comedy is just the recipe for family holiday fun.
If you go
‘Peter Pan: The Musical’
Where: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney
When: 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays (various exceptions including Dec. 17); 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23 and 30; 2 p.m. matinees Saturdays and Sundays plus select other dates including Dec. 10; various special performances including 10:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 24; through Jan. 11
Info: $25 to $48, half-price for children under 18 (top price only); various discounts for groups, seniors, and students; 301-924-3400; olneytheatre.org.
