REVIEW: ‘Peter Pan’ soars at TCR

CEDAR RAPIDS - 'Peter Pan” whisks everyone to Neverland, sending spirits soaring onstage and rippling through the audience at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

Costume designer Joni Sackett summed it up perfectly following Thursday's preview for family and friends: The show unlocks the childlike wonder in all of us, making us wish we could fly, too.

TCR has mounted the play at least four times now, and like the perpetually youthful Pan, the flying sequences just never grow old. They're magical, from the first time Sophie Lindwall's Peter Pan glides through the Darling children's nursery window to the innocent astonishment on 6-year-old Charlie Sanchez-Masi's face the first time his lovely thoughts launch him aloft as teddy-bear toting Michael Darling. He just couldn't be any cuter.

And have some tissues ready when Peter and all three Darling children (including Nikki Stewart as Wendy and Maclain Ray as John) fly high above the stage, preparing to wing their way past 'the second star to the right, and straight on 'til morning.”

The musical tale of the boy who won't grow up will be casting its spell through May 28. All the little ones around me sat mesmerized through the whole two hours, which is a testament to the strength of the production and the enduring enchantment of J.M. Barrie's story. It's just so sweet.

It helps, of course, that everyone on stage turns in strong performances.

Lindwall strikes the perfect balance between fearlessness and vulnerability. Never cocky, she's always charming, and gives such a lovely voice to her songs, whether crowing as 'the doodle-doo” or leading the Lost Boys in their defiant declaration, 'I Won't Grow Up.”

All the cockiness is imbued in Scott Humeston's Captain Hook, a dandy who prances with glee as he leads his ragtag band of pirates through their delectable deviousness. They're goofy and shifty, stealthy and scheming, leaping straight out of an old-fashioned Saturday morning cartoon. Humeston is Foghorn Leghorn, leading his bumbling, stumbling flock of fervent followers down a crooked path, in waggish sartorial splendor.

Brett Borden leads the charge of hilarity as Mr. Darling, trying to stiffen his upper lip with stern admonitions to his children and their nursemaid, Nana, played by Lily Palmersheim in an ahhh-inspiring Saint Bernard costume.

All of the songs are delightful, buoyed by Benjamin Schmidt and his superb orchestra. The sound mixers have found the right balance between vocals and instrumentals, letting all the fun and tender lyrics shine clearly.

Alvon Reed's choreography is clever and precise, especially when Tiger Lily and her tribe dance their way into the spotlight. Hook's choreography is a hoot. He thinks in tempos, from tango to tarantella, as he hatches his dastardly schemes to destroy Pan and pretty much everyone except Wendy. He wants her leave the Lost Boys to become the pirates' mommy and tell them fairy tales, too.

Artistic director Leslie Charipar injects the show with energy and charisma, set against a most stunning Neverland, springing from scenic designer Derek Easton and lighting designer Amanda Mayfield.

The show is a delight for all ages - even if they think they've grown up.

IF YOU GO

What: 'Peter Pan” musical

Where: Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE

When: To May 28; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday; 6:30 p.m. May 18

Tickets: $31 student, $40 adults; TCR Box Office, (319) 366-8591 or Theatrecr.org

l Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com