CHILDREN’S THEATER REVIEW : If You Believe, Clap Your Hands : Rollicking Pirates Steal Much of the Applause in Broadway on Tour’s Darling ‘Peter Pan’

Storybook pirates steal gold doubloons, maps to buried treasure and, occasionally, the love of a fair lady, but in Broadway on Tour’s staging of “Peter Pan,” the brigands also very nearly steal the show.

Directed by BOT founder Daniel Halkyard, this musical adaptation of James M. Barrie’s book and play uses almost all of the original Broadway script and music. That will make it familiar to kids who have seen the Mary Martin-starring production on video, but BOT adds an extra comic edge by giving the teens who play Hook’s crew a freer hand.

The boys run with it, turning in some prime Monty Python-esque touches that keep adults and older children happily tuned in. Featuring 28 local actors age 8 to 16, the show continues through July 31 at BOT’s storefront theater in The City shopping center.

Loren Wildish holds the roles of Mr. Darling and Captain Hook. Tall and fair-haired, Wildish opts for the more restrained, almost foppish mannerisms and conversational style of the characters as they were played in the Broadway show (which has been preserved forever on video) over the blustering autocrats seen in the animated Disney version.

At Sunday’s matinee, Wildish’s soft voice was occasionally drowned out by the chorus in musical numbers, but, given the theater’s no-frills sound system, he managed to hold his own surprisingly well.

In the pirate scenes, Wildish’s hook-in-a-velvet-glove approach was a nice contrast to the goofball posturing of his crew. Nicholas McKim’s simpering Smee and David Waldram’s cockeyed Starkey are hoots; whether their asides are scripted or impromptu, they are some of the funniest lines in the show. (Starkey to Hook, as the latter is carried onstage in a litter by the pirates: “Arrgh, Cap’n, you could stand to lose a few pounds!”)

The band’s musical moments, especially “Pirates Song” and “A Princely Scheme,” are a scream. McKim, by the way, also utters some convincing growls and yips when he doubles in the role of Nana, the Darling family dog.

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Kim Cohen plays Peter Pan with the cocksure, arms-akimbo style made famous by Martin, and with her short-cropped hair and upturned nose, she even has some of Martin’s physical characteristics.

Another advantage Cohen has going for her is that, even at 13, she can belt out a tune. Except for one or two lapses, there didn’t seem to be a time in the show when Cohen wasn’t in total control vocally, even in Act I’s back-to-back solos, “I’ve Gotta Crow” and “Neverland.”

The actors who play the Lost Boys are younger and less confident than those who play the pirates, so with the exception of Kelly Hannenberg as Slightly, they don’t quite give their leader the same run for the money.

Nonetheless, they are a charming bunch, made more so by their earth-toned, coarse-fabric costumes, similar to the ones seen in Spielberg’s movie, “Hook.” Other costumes coordinated by Helen Cohen appear to be professionally made. Nana’s shaggy-dog suit and Hook’s crimson jacket and glittering waistcoat are especially eye-catching.

Crystal Dancer’s Wendy Darling is all frills and doe-eyed femininity (she even sleeps in a massive pink hair bow), and Garret Baker and Tommy Hennes are fine in the minor roles of John and Michael. As a singer, Joanne Javien more than holds her own as Tiger Lily, as does Megan Richardson as Mrs. Darling.

In all, BOT’s “Peter Pan” is a fine romp and certainly ranks among the best shows this growing, nonprofit company has produced in the past five years. With The City’s impending change in ownership, the troupe will be changing addresses by the end of the year. Halkyard expects to announce the company’s new location by early next month.

* “Peter Pan,” Broadway on Tour children’s theater, The City shopping center, 20 City Drive, Suite 138. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends July 31. $6-$8. (714) 385-1555. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes. Wendy Darling: Crystal Dancer John Darling: Garret Baker Michael Darling: Tommy Hennes Nana/Smee: Nicholas McKim Mrs. Darling: Megan Richardson Mr. Darling/Captain Hook: Loren Wildish Peter Pan: Kim Cohen Tiger Lily: Joanne Javien

Presented by the Broadway on Tour children’s theater. Based on the book and play by James M. Barrie. Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh. Music by Jule Styne. Additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Directed by Daniel Halkyard. Vocal direction: Laurie Hancock. Choreographer: Sandy Castelo. Sets: Neil Caplin/Production House. Costume coordination: Helen Cohen. Sound: Daniel Halkyard.