PETER PAN AT HARTFORD'S BUSHNELL IS A HIGH-FLYING SPECTACLE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
By Kiersten Bjork (February 5, 2025)
The national tour of Peter Pan, playing at The Bushnell in Hartford February 4-9, is a high-flying spectacle perfect for the whole family. The new tour takes the classic Peter Pan story and fills it with the music and live theatre magic we’ve come to love from this musical. However, the new tour also adds a few modern twists, like Wendy filming trending videos with her brothers and an updated take on both Wendy and Tiger Lily, giving both women more agency, ownership, and individuality. From start to finish, it’s a joyful rendition of the iconic tale. Featuring songs such as “I Gotta Crow,” “I’m Flying,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” and more, it’s a magical story set to a charming score that will stick with you long after the curtain goes down.
Based on the play by Sir J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan has lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, music by Morris (Moose) Charlap, additional lyrics by Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Amanda Green, additional music by Jule Styne, and additional book by Larissa Fasthorse. New fight and dance music is by David Dabbon, music supervision, orchestral adaptation, and additional arrangements are by Einhorn, and fight and dance arrangements are by Dabbon and Einhorn. The show was originally directed, choreographed, and adapted by Jerome Robbins. The tour is directed by Lonny Price and choreographed by Lorin Latarro, with flying sequences choreographed by Paul Rubin, fight direction by Rick Sordelet and Christian Kelly-Sordelet, and music direction by Jonathan Marro. Matt Cowart serves as associate director, Travis Waldschmidt as associate choreographer, and John Mezzio as music coordinator.
Peter Pan follows the Darling siblings, Wendy, John, and Michael, as they embark on an adventure with the titular character, a young boy who lives on the magical island of Neverland. Neverland is filled with pirates, Lost Boys, and more, and here, Peter and his merry band of boys will never grow up. While in Neverland, Wendy and her brothers fly with fairies, fight pirates, and befriend Tiger Lily and her team, all the while relishing their freedom from home. This dazzling, swashbuckling tale explores the joy of childhood, the magic of friendship, and the bonds of family, all the while reminding us that we’re never too old for a little fun.
The national tour of Peter Pan, playing at The Bushnell in Hartford February 4-9, is a high-flying spectacle perfect for the whole family. The new tour takes the classic Peter Pan story and fills it with the music and live theatre magic we’ve come to love from this musical. However, the new tour also adds a few modern twists, like Wendy filming trending videos with her brothers and an updated take on both Wendy and Tiger Lily, giving both women more agency, ownership, and individuality. From start to finish, it’s a joyful rendition of the iconic tale. Featuring songs such as “I Gotta Crow,” “I’m Flying,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” and more, it’s a magical story set to a charming score that will stick with you long after the curtain goes down.
Based on the play by Sir J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan has lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, music by Morris (Moose) Charlap, additional lyrics by Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Amanda Green, additional music by Jule Styne, and additional book by Larissa Fasthorse. New fight and dance music is by David Dabbon, music supervision, orchestral adaptation, and additional arrangements are by Einhorn, and fight and dance arrangements are by Dabbon and Einhorn. The show was originally directed, choreographed, and adapted by Jerome Robbins. The tour is directed by Lonny Price and choreographed by Lorin Latarro, with flying sequences choreographed by Paul Rubin, fight direction by Rick Sordelet and Christian Kelly-Sordelet, and music direction by Jonathan Marro. Matt Cowart serves as associate director, Travis Waldschmidt as associate choreographer, and John Mezzio as music coordinator.
Peter Pan follows the Darling siblings, Wendy, John, and Michael, as they embark on an adventure with the titular character, a young boy who lives on the magical island of Neverland. Neverland is filled with pirates, Lost Boys, and more, and here, Peter and his merry band of boys will never grow up. While in Neverland, Wendy and her brothers fly with fairies, fight pirates, and befriend Tiger Lily and her team, all the while relishing their freedom from home. This dazzling, swashbuckling tale explores the joy of childhood, the magic of friendship, and the bonds of family, all the while reminding us that we’re never too old for a little fun.
“I Gotta Crow.” (from L) Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan, Hawa Kamara as Wendy in the National Tour of Peter Pan (Matthew Murphy)
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“I’m Flying.” (from L) Micah Turner Lee as John, Reed Epley as Michael, Hawa Kamara as Wendy, Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan, in the National Tour of Peter Pan (Matthew Murphy)
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Jonah Barricklo, formerly a lost boy, recently joined the cast as Peter Pan. Barricklo is endearing in the role, portraying the goofiness and boyish swagger of the character with ease. He’s a strong singer and actor, but perhaps what everyone is most excited to see is the flying. Barricklo soars in an impressive flight track, and it’s clear that the audience was thoroughly pleased with his performance. Peter Pan’s Lost Boys include Ryan Behan, Eduardo Campirano III, Leo Gallegas, Brandon Gille, and Owen Suarez, who each bring an exuberance to their role that befits the wild and raucous youths of Neverland. They work well in tandem, evoking the family feel that we expect from Peter’s crew.
Cody Garcia serves up the iconic pirate villain, Captain Hook, with a strong helping of dramatic flair. They’re hilarious as the red-coated captain, delivering evil plots set to tarantellas, tangos, and more. There’s something about Garcia’s build that adds to the humor of the role as they dash about with a high kick here and a coat toss there. Garcia was one of my favorite performers to watch because they dove into the character 110% throughout. Garcia also plays Mr. Darling, the slightly frazzled father of the Darling children, demonstrating their range as a performer (and what costume/wig magic can do). Backing up Garcia is Kurt Perry as Smee. The two of them are a perfect pair, as Perry also leans into the comedy of the role to the fullest extent. Perry and Garcia have excellent banter, and Perry’s performance had the audience in stitches.
Wendy Darling is played by Hawa Kamara who shines in her track, bringing out the strength of Wendy. The new tour updates Wendy’s character a bit, and Kamara is right at home in the passionate, curious, brilliant young woman that Wendy is. Levi Chrisopulos plays John Darling, and Camden Kwok plays Michael Darling, each filling their character with a youthful spark that is present throughout the show. They have a bright energy that adds to each scene that they are in, infusing it with a little extra joy. Mrs. Darling is played by Shefali Deshpande, whose rendition of “Tender Shepherd” tugs at your heartstrings. Deshpande evokes the caring mother beautifully, and the moment that she is reunited with her children is touching.
Cody Garcia serves up the iconic pirate villain, Captain Hook, with a strong helping of dramatic flair. They’re hilarious as the red-coated captain, delivering evil plots set to tarantellas, tangos, and more. There’s something about Garcia’s build that adds to the humor of the role as they dash about with a high kick here and a coat toss there. Garcia was one of my favorite performers to watch because they dove into the character 110% throughout. Garcia also plays Mr. Darling, the slightly frazzled father of the Darling children, demonstrating their range as a performer (and what costume/wig magic can do). Backing up Garcia is Kurt Perry as Smee. The two of them are a perfect pair, as Perry also leans into the comedy of the role to the fullest extent. Perry and Garcia have excellent banter, and Perry’s performance had the audience in stitches.
Wendy Darling is played by Hawa Kamara who shines in her track, bringing out the strength of Wendy. The new tour updates Wendy’s character a bit, and Kamara is right at home in the passionate, curious, brilliant young woman that Wendy is. Levi Chrisopulos plays John Darling, and Camden Kwok plays Michael Darling, each filling their character with a youthful spark that is present throughout the show. They have a bright energy that adds to each scene that they are in, infusing it with a little extra joy. Mrs. Darling is played by Shefali Deshpande, whose rendition of “Tender Shepherd” tugs at your heartstrings. Deshpande evokes the caring mother beautifully, and the moment that she is reunited with her children is touching.
(from L) Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan, Cody Garcia as Captain Hook, Hawa Kamara as Wendy, and the cast of the National Tour of Peter Pan (Matthew Murphy)
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“Friends Forever.” (from L) Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan, Kenny Ramos as Acoma, Raye Zaragoza as Tiger Lily and the cast of the National Tour of Peter Pan (Matthew Murphy)
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Bailey Frankenberg makes a powerful Tiger Lily. Her initial entrances are punctuated with the pounding of a staff onto the stage floor, and throughout the show Frankenberg fills her dialogue and vocals with a constant, fierce strength. She plays off of Kamara’s Wendy and Barricklo’s Peter quite well, and the three together are fun to watch. Frankenberg is also a great dancer, leading the ensemble in “Friends Forever,” and she also serves as the fight captain and one of the flight captains for the production. Tiger Lily’s right-hand man, Acoma, is played by Aaron Stewart, and the rest of their group includes Hannah Schmidt (Dance Captain) as Žemyna, Zanie Love Shaia as Rala, Calista Jones as Ife, Deshpande as Boa Sr, Ernesto Olivas as Gyo ti, James Douglas Vinson as Feorh, and Ryan Perry Marks (Flight Captain) as Nintoku.
Deshpande, Jones, Marks, Olivas, Schmidt, Shaia, Stewart, and Vinson also play the pirate crew, with Shaia additionally taking on the role of Wendy’s daughter, Jane, and Schmidt taking on the hilariously distracted babysitter of the Darling children, Liza. Tony Collins (Dance Captain & Assistant Fight Captain), Leo Gallegos, Serenity Mariana, and Cheyenne Omani round out the company as swings. Mariana makes a guest appearance as The Croc.
Deshpande, Jones, Marks, Olivas, Schmidt, Shaia, Stewart, and Vinson also play the pirate crew, with Shaia additionally taking on the role of Wendy’s daughter, Jane, and Schmidt taking on the hilariously distracted babysitter of the Darling children, Liza. Tony Collins (Dance Captain & Assistant Fight Captain), Leo Gallegos, Serenity Mariana, and Cheyenne Omani round out the company as swings. Mariana makes a guest appearance as The Croc.
Bailey Frankenberg as Tiger Lily in the National Tour of Peter Pan (Matthew Murphy)
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Cody Garcia as Captain Hook in the National Tour of Peter Pan (Matthew Murphy)
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Scenic design by Anna Louizos is gorgeous. From the intricately decorated set of the nursery in the Darling home to the lush greenery of the Lost Boys’ camp, the deck of the Jolly Roger, and beyond, Louizos has created a stunning world for the show to live within. There are a range of levels, with different perches for Peter to land on as he soars over the stage in the different scenes, all filled with color and texture that catches the eye without detracting from the scene itself. The scenic design also establishes a variety of projection surfaces for projection designer David Bengali to utilize. My favorite moment of the show is created via projections, bringing us over the streets of London as Peter, Wendy, John, and Michael take to the skies on their flight to Neverland. Bengali skillfully blends the projections with the style of the show, even incorporating Peter’s shadow as a “living,” moving character in the song “I Gotta Crow.” Lighting designer Amith Chandrashaker also helps to bring the magic to Neverland with light and color, blending lighting with scenic and projection designs to fully establish the visual worlds of London, Neverland, and beyond.
Costumes by designer Sarafina Bush are well-suited to the characters and the world of the show. The Lost Boys costumes are my favorites, with all their bits and bobs, from rope to fringe, and particularly the Twins’ costumes with their fun antler hats. The costumes are full of pops of color, interesting textures, and intriguing styles that support the fantastical realm that the story lives within. Wig, hair, and make-up design by J. Jared Janas is also wonderful.
Sound design by Kai Harada is solid. The effects and overall balancing throughout were effective, with the live balance being particularly strong. Large venues like the Bushnell can sometimes be tricky to mix, particularly with these tours that come through for such short stops, but I was impressed with the overall sound quality.
Costumes by designer Sarafina Bush are well-suited to the characters and the world of the show. The Lost Boys costumes are my favorites, with all their bits and bobs, from rope to fringe, and particularly the Twins’ costumes with their fun antler hats. The costumes are full of pops of color, interesting textures, and intriguing styles that support the fantastical realm that the story lives within. Wig, hair, and make-up design by J. Jared Janas is also wonderful.
Sound design by Kai Harada is solid. The effects and overall balancing throughout were effective, with the live balance being particularly strong. Large venues like the Bushnell can sometimes be tricky to mix, particularly with these tours that come through for such short stops, but I was impressed with the overall sound quality.
“I Won’t Grow Up.” Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan (center), and the cast of the National Tour of Peter Pan (Matthew Murphy)
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“Hook’s Tarantella.” (center) Cody Garcia as Captain Hook, and the cast of the National Tour of Peter Pan (Matthew Murphy)
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The national tour of Peter Pan is a breathtaking return to the magical tale that we know and love, with the added touch of live flight that truly brings the show to the next level. Experience the delightful musical for yourself – see the tour of Peter Pan now through February 9 at the Bushnell, or on their route later this year. Dates and venues can be found at peterpanontour.com.
Peter Pan plays February 4-9, 2025, at The Bushnell in Hartford, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets for upcoming Bushnell events online at bushnell.org or by calling the Box Office at (860) 987-5900.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
Peter Pan plays February 4-9, 2025, at The Bushnell in Hartford, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets for upcoming Bushnell events online at bushnell.org or by calling the Box Office at (860) 987-5900.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.