For those fortunate folks who saw La Mirada’s recent production of The Play That Goes Wrong, they will recognize The Cornley Drama Society as they continue their hapless forays into theatrical productions. This time around they are producing Peter Pan Goes Wrong, a take on the beloved tale of Peter Pan, Wendy, John, and Michael Darling as they visit what would like to be Neverland but is more fittingly Misadventureland.
Written by the team of Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, this show attempts to capitalize on the success of their first British drawing room comedy by re-inventing some old shticks, refining some others, and going for a less sophisticated and even more slapstick approach to the beloved children’s play.
The comedy begins promisingly enough by introducing Father and Mother Darling (Josh Grisetti and Nicole Parker), their maid Lisa (Parker again, in a wonderful transformation), and Nana the dog (Trent Mills). In such a small company as the Cornley players, these so-called actors are seen again and again as such diverse characters as pirates, family members, mermaids, and even a pesky crocodile.
The frosting on the cake for this outing is seeing Cathy Rigby, whose legendary portrayal of Peter Pan spanning over 30 years and 3000 performances, returns as the narrator of the tale. In an oversized chair, she opens her storybook and charms as only she can. She also fills in as a scurvy pirate.
In a particularly clever bit, Mills arrives as Peter’s shadow in a black body suit. Though this shadow has a bit of trouble finding his object, the interchanges are very clever bits of misplaced timing.
As the Darling children, Wendy (Regina Fernandez), John (Reggie DeLeon), and Michael (Nick Apostolina) enthusiastically inhabit their childish characterizations but also fall prey to their Society counterparts. A case in point: Peter and Wendy’s romantic gropings frequently interrupt the narrative.
To enumerate all of the mishaps, pratfalls, gymnastics, and missed cues would overwhelm the reader, but suffice it to say that they were one a minute. As Peter Pan, Steven Booth is an unlucky and resourceful presence, especially when his aerial adventures goes humorously awry. As the swashbuckling Captain Hook, Grisetti is an outrageous villain, and his many transformations as he morphs into his characters is impressive.
Nicole Parker is a standout as the awkward Tinker Bell, and Louis Pardo makes a very nervous stagehand when his turn to shine comes. Mills’ Nana stuck in a dog door may go on a little long, but it crashes any expectations that the beloved nursemaid is going to watch her charges. Mills is a larger than life character throughout. Reggie De Leon is an awkward Smee with earphones designed to help his with his lines but instead broadcast some off stage information. This bit might be trimmed to better effect.
Director Eric Peterson has his hands full in this highly complicated buffoonery, and to his credit he makes the mayhem amusing even when epic fails take place.
The technical team for this show is key to the success of all the mishaps throughout the two-hour performance. Starting with Scenic Designer Stephen Gifford’s complicated set design, the show requires all hands on deck. Steven Young’s lighting design also requires precision timing even when it is failing miserably for the cast. Josh Bessom also skillfully integrates sound effects into the mix and aids choreographers Paul Rubin and Christine Negherbon as they add some music and dance to the show. Costumes by Adam Ramirez and Katie McCoy’s wigs are effective in bringing the characters to life.
Rubin’s flying sequences are wonderfully comic, but seeing Rigby fly out over the audience at play’s end reminds us of her history with Pan and makes the show special.
At the end of the production, the technical crew comes out for a final bow, and it is well deserved. Much of the success of the show is due to the enthusiasm of cast members to play it broadly and for the show’s technical team to add all the special extras. This is definitely recommended for children and imaginative adults.
