‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’ Comedy of Errors in L.A.

“Peter Pan Goes Wrong” which opened this week at the Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, serves up a comedy of errors filled with summer fun, albeit a little too much. Direct from its Broadway engagement, “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” is a carefully choreographed slapstick version of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale that will be at the Ahmanson through Sept. 10.

Mischief Theatre company, creators of the highly successful production “The Play That Goes Wrong,” have created their next farce. Writers Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields marry the well-known tale of the boy who doesn’t want to grow up with their brand of theatrical silliness for an evening of very light entertainment.

The Ahmanson engagement of “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” features two guest stars in the role of Francis, the Narrator in the show. Emmy-winner Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing” and “The Handmaid’s Tale”) will play the Narrator through Aug. 20. Then, Daniel Dae Kim (“Hawaii 5-0,” “Lost” and “The Good Doctor” will assume the role from Aug. 30 to Sept. 10.

Chaos Takes Center Stage

Directed by Adam Meggido, Mischief’s play within a play has the cast as members of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society staging “Peter Pan.” The show starts like a serious production. But then, everything that could go wrong with a live show (deliberately here) does. There are prop and set malfunctions, actors forget their lines, and other errors that engage audience laughter.

There can’t be a production of “Peter Pan” without flying, which offers a variety of comedic elements and accidents. When the Darling children are going to fly, they are hooked to wires that lift their clothes up instead of them. Other times, Peter or characters flying are suddenly dangling upside down or crashing into scenery.

“Peter Pan Goes Wrong” and its various mishaps are choreographed meticulously. Stunts that do not go off as expected, a backstage romance come to light, and offstage conversations are overheard. Various actors spend the evening flailing, acting silly, and potentially getting electrocuted.

The show is entertaining and a good laugh for about two-thirds. Then the chaos seems overdone, and gags seem overly hectic. Also, continual jokes about cast members’ girth (i.e., a plump Tinker Bell and Nana the dog getting stuck in the doggie door) seems tacky and outmoded.

Cast Largely Does Double Duty

The largely British cast in the L.A. production of “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” played their roles when the show presented its quirky comedy of errors on Broadway earlier this year. Many play more than one character adeptly:

• Henry Shields portrays Mr. Darling and Captain Hook. His daddy Darling is smug and pompous. The pirate is presented as a villain that everyone is encouraged to boo. He periodically engages the audience, and even made a snide crack about American independence and today’s political climate.
• Greg Tannahill flies awkwardly into objects and is even dropped to the floor as Jonathan/Peter Pan.
• Henry Lewis fills three roles: The beefy and entertaining dog Nana, Peter’s obviously miss-matched shadow, and Hook’s henchman.
• Nancy Zamit has the most physically challenging time morphing with ever faster costume changes at the Darling home between Mrs. Darling and the maid. Then, when action shifts to Neverland, Zamit becomes a flight-challenged Tinker Bell.
• Charlie Russell makes a more grown-up Wendy, showing poise amongst the chaos. She adds to the travesty by being more involved with Peter than a Disney version would allow.
• Narrator Whitford tries initially to take the production seriously, sitting on the edge of the stage telling the tale between scenes. However, his chair is another prop that doesn’t always function as expected. Whitford gamely tried to stay above the fray and made fun of himself as an Emmy winner with trophies on display. He also interjected several references to the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike.

“Peter Pan” Goes Right or Wrong for Kids?

While the production is designed as a fun family comedy, some gags and onstage errors in “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” will go over the heads of very young children. The exclusive engagement, fresh from Broadway, will be in L.A. at the Ahmanson through Sept. 10.

Written by Dyanne Weiss

Sources:

Performance August 11, 2023

Center Theatre Group

Hollywood Reporter: Bradley Whitford and Daniel Dae Kim Join Center Theatre Group’s ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’

Photos by Jeremy Daniel. (Top) Matthew Cavendish (front) with (L-R) Harry Kershaw, Charlie Russell, Greg Tannahill, Henry Shields, Bartley Booz, and Henry Lewis in “Peter Pan Goes Wrong.”  (Insert) Tinkerbell (Nancy Zamit) and Peter (Greg Tannahill).