People’s Light presents Peter Panto: A Musical Panto

Carry on tradition

I first experienced pantos in England and fell in love with the colorful, musical productions that encourage audience participation. A holiday tradition for many families, pantos are based on well-known fairy tales or children’s stories. Playful in nature, they feature slapstick, fight scenes, outlandish costumes and cross-dressing characters in song and dance. Peter Panto: A Musical Panto is a wonderful example of the genre. With fabulous costumes, inventive choreography, and lots of musical numbers, Peter Panto is a brightly-colored holiday treat.

A playful twist to the classic J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan; the story has been updated for our modern times with references to TikTok and cell phones, yet the heart of the tale is still a journey of discovery. The stagecraft and production design (Chris Haig) lend Peter Panto a polished look combined with the simplicity of a children’s make-believe fort.

Having musical accompaniment (Andrew Nelson, Bassist & Jimmy Coleman, Percussionist) right next to the stage allows the actors and musicians to be in sync. There’s even a funny bit where Hook “accidentally” shoots the bassist. A few of the smaller audience members were standing to see any action that happened when actors sat on the apron of the stage. Every entrance and exit of the intimate theater space was put to good use.

“It’s what sets a panto apart from other forms of musical theater,” said director Bill Fennelly in an interview. “They’re playful and so alive. Peter Panto invites us to see a more inclusive and diverse world. There’s something precious about getting people together to laugh. It’s an invitation to experience childlike delight.”

Not just playing around

Peter, played by the talented Eli Lynn, is seeking family and connection. In this Neverland, the fabulous Tinkerbell (Courter Simmons), summons more than fairy dust with her wand. The fairy conjures up community. There’s the scene-stealing Captain Hook (Jamison Stern), both hilarious and swashbuckling. His interactions with Smee (Connor McAndrews) are pure delight. The fast-paced action features plenty of song and dance numbers (Alex Bechtel, music/lyrics and Melanie Cotton, choreography) and well-staged pirate battles (Eli Lynn, assisted by Ren Williams). Yet, it’s in the quieter moments when the wistful yearnings of the Darling Children are voiced that the tale welds emotional power.

My favorite aspects of the show were the fantastic costumes and make-up (Rebecca Kanach) for the four lead characters. Tinkerbell was resplendent in green sparkles and towering blond wig. Hook was blindingly bedazzled in his red sequin pirate coat with his mustache perfect for the fiendish twirl. Peter and Wendy (Liz Filios) were costumed in simple but effective attire that made for quick costume changes. Strong performances by all the cast, though there were some performers that were better actors than singers. Overall, Peter Panto is a well-crafted production. It’s a holiday treat that will elicit childlike delight. Spread the joy and share this panto with loved ones.