(Orlando FL; Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center) Tonight was opening night for the national touring production of Peter Pan in Orlando, and it was full of faith, dust and a little pixie dust!
Peter Pan was a very fun and whimsical journey, which transformed the audience from a place of reality into a world of fantasy where children could fly, have sword-fights with pirates, and never have to grow up.
17-year old Nolan Almeida serves as this production's Peter Pan, and he did well to perpetuate the spirit of the title character. Throughout the night, audience members followed his world of fantasy, as we watched him literally fly across the stage as he was a character beyond this earthly world. Through his portrayal, for the night I felt the immense joy of being a part of his story, and I was taken back to my youth and living out stories of make-believe, where everything was possible and my imagination could run wild. His acting was good enough to bring Tinkerbell to life, which caused some audience members to shed a tear or two as he made us believe in one scene that we were watching something tragic happen to a character that wasn't even with us on stage.
Actor Cody Garcia was tonight's Captain Hook, and was likeable and funny, which can be a very difficult thing to achieve when portraying the show's 'bad guy'. Garcia fully embodied Hook, and brought to life the exuberance of the villainous pirate. Hook's comedic ensemble did a wonderful job adding depth to Hook's naughtiness, and helped shape just how much danger our Lost Boys were exposed to in Neverland. Hook's sidekick, 'Smee' was portrayed by actor Kurt Perry. Perry's comedic timing was on point, and did an excellent job in supporting Hook's energy. Together, Garcia and Perry were a super-fun villain duo to watch on stage. You were laughing with them in one scene, but felt the imminent danger that Tiger Lily, Peter Pan, and all of their youthful cohort were exposed to through their evil intentions.
Tiger Lily was played by Raye Zaragoza. Zaragoza was a very strong presence on stage. If her muscles alone didn't intimidate you, her aggressive and assertive physical posturing and powerful voice probably did. Audience members had a brief exposure to her very unique vocal sound in "I Gotta Crow" (reprise), and I wish there more opportunities to hear her singing solo during tonight's show. Nonetheless, she had a powerful stage presence and was casted well in this role.
The other important callout for the night: Hawa Kamara, who portrayed Wendy. She was stellar!
Peter Pan was a very fun and whimsical journey, which transformed the audience from a place of reality into a world of fantasy where children could fly, have sword-fights with pirates, and never have to grow up.
17-year old Nolan Almeida serves as this production's Peter Pan, and he did well to perpetuate the spirit of the title character. Throughout the night, audience members followed his world of fantasy, as we watched him literally fly across the stage as he was a character beyond this earthly world. Through his portrayal, for the night I felt the immense joy of being a part of his story, and I was taken back to my youth and living out stories of make-believe, where everything was possible and my imagination could run wild. His acting was good enough to bring Tinkerbell to life, which caused some audience members to shed a tear or two as he made us believe in one scene that we were watching something tragic happen to a character that wasn't even with us on stage.
Actor Cody Garcia was tonight's Captain Hook, and was likeable and funny, which can be a very difficult thing to achieve when portraying the show's 'bad guy'. Garcia fully embodied Hook, and brought to life the exuberance of the villainous pirate. Hook's comedic ensemble did a wonderful job adding depth to Hook's naughtiness, and helped shape just how much danger our Lost Boys were exposed to in Neverland. Hook's sidekick, 'Smee' was portrayed by actor Kurt Perry. Perry's comedic timing was on point, and did an excellent job in supporting Hook's energy. Together, Garcia and Perry were a super-fun villain duo to watch on stage. You were laughing with them in one scene, but felt the imminent danger that Tiger Lily, Peter Pan, and all of their youthful cohort were exposed to through their evil intentions.
Tiger Lily was played by Raye Zaragoza. Zaragoza was a very strong presence on stage. If her muscles alone didn't intimidate you, her aggressive and assertive physical posturing and powerful voice probably did. Audience members had a brief exposure to her very unique vocal sound in "I Gotta Crow" (reprise), and I wish there more opportunities to hear her singing solo during tonight's show. Nonetheless, she had a powerful stage presence and was casted well in this role.
The other important callout for the night: Hawa Kamara, who portrayed Wendy. She was stellar!
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