All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust!
— J.M. Barrie
As soon as I walked into the tent, I knew this show would be unlike any other. Presented in the round and featuring the world’s first 360-degree CGI theater set, Peter Pan soars into Orange County for an exclusive Southern California engagement.
The production is based on J M Barrie’s classic story (which should not be confused with Disney’s adaptation) of the boy who never grew up. Peter Pan is about friendship, dreams, imagination, and change. It’s funny, tender, and at times, intense. It deals with subject matters like responsibility, jealousy, and loss, which may be too mature for children under 5. My son (who is 3 1/2) thoroughly enjoyed the performance (particularly the flying sequences) and only got fidgety during the last 20 minutes. I was a bit nervous about one of the more intense scenes, but he did not get scared and he likely didn’t grasp what had occurred.
Peter Pan has never been performed in quite this way. The production takes place inside a state-of-the-art theater pavilion, the interior which is lit with 15,000 square feet of hi-resolution video. The scenes of Peter, Wendy, Michael, and John flying over London are breathtaking. Despite the fact that the theater holds 1300, the experience is intimate.
The term experience readily comes to mind, as the production is highly immersive. I remember looking behind me at one point, in awe of how contiguous the scenes were. The actors come out of the audience…Wendy and Peter fly overhead in scenes that make you feel like you’re right there with them.
The set was not complex and kept my eyes focused on the screens surrounding me (which was likely the point). I was quite surprised to learn that 400 square miles of London were rendered for the production.
Despite the fact that I knew how it would end, I found myself longing for Peter to just get it (as in, grow up). Wendy was just as lovable as I remember, Tink had more sass than I remember, and Hook (with his striking makeup) was more evil than I remember. The characters were well-developed and authentically British. I was in tears by the end, moved by the story and the characters. The entire experience was truly magical.
This rendition of Peter Pan originated in London in 2009 and was performed in Kensington Gardens, JM Barrie’s inspiration for the story. The show features 22 actors, memorable puppets, and distinct music.
J M Barrie’s Peter Pan will perform at the Orange County Performing Arts Center through November 21, 2010. Ticket prices range from $30 to $70 with premium ticket packages available. A limited number of discounted tickets are available on Goldstar.
{Photo Credit: Orange County Performing Arts Center}
No compensation was received for this post. Media tickets were provided.
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Oh how I wish there was a production like that around here. It sounds wonderful. I really love going to the theater, it makes for such a fabulous night out. You described it in such magical detail, thanks for the review.
We are so fortunate to live in a city that is active with live productions! : )