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Peter Pan I have always felt that theater is theater, no matter where it is performed. There are some theaters within our metroplex that have major budgets to work with, large subscription bases, and the resources to create huge sets, elaborate costumes and dazzling lighting designs. This all allows them to create theater beauty at its finest. Then there are smaller companies that must struggle to create magic from limited resources. Both have the same dedication, passion, and love for the art of creating theater. From the large companies to the smallest, they all strive for the same goal: entertaining it audiences. Coppell Community Theater (CCT) formerly held their productions in the Coppell High School theater. Later, the City of Coppell donated the local firehouse to them, and there they redesigned the new intimate space into a theater they now call home. Peter Pan is the first show I have observed in this space. In all honesty, the book and score for Peter Pan is aloof and detached. The book, based on the play by James M. Barrie, tends to jump around and lose focus. The lyrics are by Carolyn Leigh with additional help by the Tony Award winning duo of Betty Comden and Adolph Green, while the music is written by Moose Charlap and Jule Styne. But here they all fail drastically. While a few of the songs are somewhat musically pleasing to the ear, the lyrics seem elementary at best. You can feel these creators aiming their product to children, but in the process it becomes so over coated in sugar sweetness that it makes your teeth ache. That said, the children in the audience at the performance I attended were glued to what was unfolding in front of their eyes; they looked like they were having a blast. So maybe I need to take a trip down to Neverland to wake up the child in me again. Director Wheelice Wilson, Jr. has created a charming production in spite of the dullness of the book and score. Wilson has a small space with a large cast to work with, which could have easily spelled disaster. Instead, Wilson has created perfect traffic patterns for set pieces and cast to move along, while with his blocking he allows all three sides of the audience to enjoy the evening. What I admire the most from Wilson's work is how he does not let the special effects stop him or his company from achieving theater magic. They use their resources to come up with some excellent solutions. As we all know, Peter Pan flies. CCT has no fly rail space at all in the confinements of its theater, so Wilson and Mike Arthur instead use video production to show the kids flying, and it works wonderfully. There is also a lighting effect for Tinkerbell used quite effectively and when she drinks the poison out of the glass in act two, the glass actually empties. I truly do admire Wilson and this company for its ability to still create theater magic. Wilson is aided in creating this magic by Robert Batson's simplistic yet colorful sets; Ellen Reed's costumes, and Noel Chumbley's lighting design. It should be noted that the Neverland mural, quite beautiful and full of lush color, was created by Pam Monfries, Jeri Smart, and Emily Smart. Musical Director Michael L. Smith also earns praise for providing the right balance of tempo and musical accompaniment for the evening. Anyone playing the title role of Peter Pan has to carry the show, period. We all know that Mary Martin played this role, as well as Sandy Duncan, and most recently Cathy Rigby. Wearing the green tights in CCT's production is a male. So the show falls heavily on the shoulders of Evan Fuller, and the kid succeeds hands down. Fuller has engaging stage presence and a winsome disposition that earns the audience's appreciation from his first scene to his last. Fuller possesses a tenor vocal that works extremely well with the many songs he has to sing within the show. If I had to pick my favorite, it would be the simple yet touching ballad, "Distant Melody." Fuller crests softly within the notes written in the music. The actor has fun with such numbers as "I've Gotta Crow," "Neverland," "I'm Flying," and "I Won't Grow Up," using facial expressions and his body to create laughter. For the duet with Captain Hook, "Oh, My Mysterious Lady," Fuller uses his upper range to create a mezzo soprano voice, which is downright hysterical The actor comes equipped with truckloads of endless energy as well as the ability to stay totally committed to his character. Fuller carries the show with an abundance of showmanship and professionalism. Mike Arthur portrays the evil Hook while his sidekick Mr. Smee is played by Rudy Seppy. Both men are humorous and fun to watch on stage. But I felt they were just a bit under the radar in really giving these characters a bigger than life aura about them. Don't get me wrong, they both did make me laugh. But I felt as though they both did what was written on paper-not taking the roles to an upper level of side splitting comedy that I know how these two comic roles can be. Both actors need to be much more over the top and have spastic energy within them. At times both actors seemed to putter out and not hit the comedy marks as the evening progressed. This was not helped by Arthur's in and out English accent. Regardless, both actors were entertaining. As for the lost boys-these six young tykes are just pure fun to watch! I admit, I do tend to groan and moan when children are in productions, for the fear that they enter that awwww, isn't that cute? arena that I find bothersome. But instead Director Wilson wisely keeps his young actors steering clearly away from this. These young lads achieve fun and loud laughs with their youthful acting and facial expressions. So kudos to Henry Monfries (Slightly); Brian O' Conner (Tootles); John Pankonien (Curly); Miles Verk (Nibs); and twins Steven & William Smith. They are all just delightful to watch on stage. Alas the young ladies who portray the indians are not on the same level as the moppet headed boys. The six girls who are these indians seem lost and confused on stage. They have a big dance number in act one, but sadly they keep looking at each other or their partner to see if they are going in the right direction. Thus, the girls looked scared or uncomfortable when they are dancing. Hopefully with a couple of performances they will ease more into the choreography and staging. Within Capt Hook's army of comical pirates there are two scene stealers that had me constantly laughing every time they stepped on stage. Manuel Monsante is Cecco, a pirate who has one stiff dead parrot on his shoulder. For this character, Monsante has created a hilarious over the top Italian/French accent that fit his role perfectly. The actor wears a large black moustache, facial stubble, and wig that combined with his accent-I swear he looks and sounds like the french chef in Disney's animated film, The Little Mermaid. The other scene stealer is Gustavo E. Monstante, which I'm assuming is Manuel's real life brother. Gustavo portrays Noodler, a pirate who does not know what end of the trumpet to play. The actor provides hysterical facial expressions and ad libs that had me in stitches. To add more laughter for his character, he has painted out several of his teeth as well. All of this is topped off with Gustavo's frenzy energy. Both Manuel and Gustavo had the right over the top comedic fun that that made these minor roles stand out. Both actors come equipped with zany facial expressions, high energy, and solid stage presence. They may have been just in the chorus, but the these two had me laughing all night. In the large cast there is also entertaining performances by Jonathan Meador (John); Stephanie Fischer (Wendy); Caleb Pierce (Michael); Brittany Bara (Liza); and Gloria Yates (Mrs. Darling). While the production is slightly plagued with pace problems and continuity issues, it still is an enjoyable evening of theater. CCT may not have the overflowing riches as some of their fellow colleagues have within this metroplex artistic family, but this did not stop them from bringing the magic of theater to life with the resources and talent that they do have. CCT's PETER PAN still achieves what is the main goal of any theater, and that is to bring theater magic to life-and they indeed do with this musical. Coppell Community Theatre Presents: PETER PAN-Seating is limited! Only three weekends! Make your reservations now with credit card. Call 972-745-7719 Adults $12/ Students $8 Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm Sundays at 2:30pm July 12th-28th At the Center for the Arts, 157 S. Moore Rd., Coppell PETER PAN Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Music by Jule Styne. Additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Coppell Community Theater Director.............................Wheelice Wilson, Jr. Asst. Director/Stage Manager.........Karen Siddall Choreographer........................Ann White Musical Director.....................Michael L. Smith Scenic Designer......................Robert Batson Lighting Designer....................Noel Chumbley Costume Designer.....................Ellen Reed *CAST* Peter Pan............................Evan Fuller Capt.Hook/Mr. Darling................Mike Arthur Wendy................................Stephanie Fischer John.................................Jonathan Meador Michael..............................Caleb Pierce Tiger Lily...........................Kathy Whitthorne Mrs. Darling.........................Gloria Yates Smee.................................Rudy Seppy Grown-Up Wendy.......................Karen Fischer Liza.................................Brittany Bara Nana.................................Bobbi Ritcheske Jane.................................Sidney Verk Slightly.............................Henry Monfries Tootles..............................Brian O'Connor Curly................................John Pankonien Twin#1...............................Steven Smith Twin#2...............................William Smith Nibs.................................Miles Verk Cecco................................Manuel Monsante Starkey..............................Dennis Disney Jukes................................Brekk Bateman Noodler..............................Gustavo E. Monsante Mullins..............................Reid Downs Crocodile............................Adam Siddall Peacock..............................Helen Hohnholt Kangaroo.............................Austin Disney Lion.................................Mike Pankonien Indians..............................Samantha Harrison, Sarah Millhorn, Ailie Pankonien, Lauren Scharrer, Diana Trieu, Lauren Whitthorne. |
