STAGE REVIEWS : ‘PETER PAN’ WELL-AIMED AT THE YOUNG

“Peter Pan” has touched down in Orange County again, this time flying into Yorba Linda in a lively production staged by the Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera Assn. This latest revival is aimed directly at young audiences, offering a chance for kids to come up on stage and learn how to crow along with Peter and the gang.

Director Gary Gordon has a definite idea of what makes this story work for children, keeping the emphasis on action and comedy, all of it bolstered by solid performances painted in primary colors. The poignancy, whimsy and an occasional glimpse of the dark shadows in this moving tale by Sir James M. Barrie are also present, but they take a back seat here to the big, the broad and the colorful. Pirates and Indians battle in the aisles; Capt. Hook snarls at the front row; Smee takes one pratfall after another; sword fights come fast and furious. Gordon also knows when to spell things out, making it clear that the final scene is indeed many years later, as words projected on the wall of the nursery proclaim.

But despite its magic, “Peter Pan” is an awkwardly constructed musical. Its seams tend to show, and this production is no exception. One such transition--the reprise of “I Gotta Crow,” which is traditionally used to buy the stage crew time to change sets--is handled here by inviting audience members to come up on stage for a crash course in crowing from Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys. A stage full of children (and several adult good sports) happily obliged.

(Did it dilute the magic? Yes. Did the kids love it anyway? Yes.)

Diana Monter gives a sure performance as Peter Pan, the boy who refuses to grow up. Monter sees him as more of a genial pal than a rascal, and she makes sure Peter has a caring side. Her appeal to children everywhere to clap their hands if they believe in fairies in order to revive the poisoned Tinkerbell is delivered with impassioned conviction. (This Tinkerbell is a dazzling laser, the inventive handiwork of Ellen Glatman.)

Glenn Bradley provides many of the best moments as the preening, swaggering, snarling Captain Hook. He rules over a ragtag band of bumbling pirates, and the bumbling here is inspired, led by Dan Halkyard as a very funny Smee. Bradley is equally effective as Mr. Darling, the children’s stuffy, fussy father, who reigns over his household with thunderous, if benevolent, authority. But Bradley also exudes a warmth that lifts the character above caricature.

Gordon has three fine voices in Monter as Peter, Deborah Stevens as Mrs. Darling and Jolene Kaye Slipp as Wendy. Jenny Eaden is fiery, fierce and deft as Tiger Lily, leading her tribe in some rousing numbers crisply choreographed by Susan Cable.

Unfortunately, the live orchestra is sequestered backstage and its music piped in through amplifiers, which seems to defeat the purpose. But this compromise does result in a good audio balance, ensuring that the orchestra never overpowers the vocals. Most of the technical problems on opening weekend centered on the lighting, which was murky.

“Peter Pan” will play through March 15 at the Forum Theater, 4175 Fairmont Blvd., Yorba Linda. Regional Repertory Theatre, which operates the Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera, will take the production to the Knott’s Berry Farm Good Time Theatre in Buena Park May 7 through 17, with Cathy Rigby in the lead role. For information on either production, call (714) 921-9575.