Peter Pan was one of the very first shows I saw performed live. I had grown up watching the 1960 TV version starring Mary Martin, but it wasn’t until I saw it at Beef & Boards that it truly came alive for me. Peter Pan is back on stage at the Indianapolis dinner theatre and seeing the Beef & Boards’ production was a sweet reminder of the songs and story I loved so much when I was young.
The adventure-packed show is a
wonderful introduction to theatre for young kids. With pirates, Indians,
fairies, and flying there’s so much magic happening on stage the youngsters in
the audience couldn’t help their occasional exclamations of excitement.
Phebe Taylor, who served as the
spirit Ariel in HART’s “Tempest” last summer, is a Beef & Boards newcomer.
She’s perfect as the eternally youthful Peter Pan. Her energetic performance
was backed by incredible vocals on numbers like “Neverland” and “Distant Melody”.
The villains are over-the-top and cartoonish, a perfect fit for a show geared towards kids. Jeff Stockberger is in his element as Hook, the world’s most dramatic pirate. He leads his band of dim-witted miscreants as they make plans to destroy Peter Pan.
Productions that feature a
large cast of child actors can be tricky, but this one seemed to hum right
along. From the Lost Boys to Wendy and her brothers, the kids did a great job. The
second act drags a bit as we hear a few reprises of earlier songs, but it’s not
big detraction.
This timeless story feels fresh
to each new generation. We know we don’t want to grow up long before we
understand what growing up entails. Take your family, no matter what ages, and
let the kid inside you enjoy the show.
Performances: The show runs until July 3. Doors open for
evening performances at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The buffet is served
from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. For Wednesday matinees
doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the buffet is served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The show begins at 1 p.m. For Sunday matinees doors open at 12 p.m. and the
buffet is served from 12:15 to 1 p.m. The show begins at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: To purchase tickets call (317) 872-9664 between
10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Prices range from $40 to $65 and include the show, tax,
coffee, tea and the buffet.
Photos courtesy of Beef & Boards
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