Peter Pan

Here I go again. Every time we go to the Arizona Broadway Theatre, I come home to rave about it on this blog. Some readers may be thinking, “Enough already! I don’t want to hear any more!” Well, tough. I’m going to do it again. Last night we went there to see what ABT could do with Peter Pan, James M. Barrie's hymn to eternal youth. A couple of cocktails and a meal of mesclun greens salad, hot rolls, and an entre of prime rib for me and mojo chicken for Rosalie. Excellent meal, and so bountiful we had to bring about half home with us. Then the play. We soon discovered that they were able to do just about everything that could be done in this high-flying musical. For a relatively small stage, with intimate seating for only about 350 diners, they construct amazing sets. The opening scene was in the bedroom of Wendy and her two brothers, with a large curtained window at the rear, which when opened showed a black backdrop with lights for stars. Peter Pan enters through the window, and then the opening song “Neverland,” followed by “I Can Fly,” during which Peter and the children soar front to back, side to side. Again, for a small stage with limited possibilities, ABT does an amazing job. The sets in Neverland were magically varied with large, orange-spoked wheels to represent flowers, huge green leaves hanging down, a small hill that covered the home of Peter and the Lost Boys, then later a house where Wendy and the boys would live while she served as their mother. And, of course, a pirate ship with plank for Captain Hook and his pirates. The singing was very good, especially that of Keil Klaphake as Hook, and David Errigo as Peter. The choreography was excellent, especially in the dance of the Indians, led by Tiger Lily in the “Ugg-a-Wugg” number, followed by a timpani instrumental called “The Pow-Wow Polka.” Peter and Tiger Lily beat on a large drum while the rest of the cast clacked out a complicated syncopation with sticks. All right, that’s enough raving. If there are any readers out there who live anywhere near the Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria, AZ, they should buy a ticket for this show, have a great meal, see a great show.

And how about a cat truth from "Pickles?"