Pirates, Lost Boys, Indians, fairies, mermaids, and children who fly and the boy who would never grow up were all in Prescott this past week. Or was Prescott transported to Neverland? It often felt like it as Director Shmaine Shepherd and her cast and crew brought that world to life with such vividness, enthusiasm, and great splashes of creativity.

Brittany Reed is the boyish Peter Pan determined to keep on being boyish. And Brittany has both the vocals and the boyish youthfulness to soar in the part. Having him wonder over the miraculous movement of a hobbyhorse, and lightly punching Wendy in the nose with his “kiss” to get her to open her eyes and take the darn kiss, add much to the character. Brittany’s singing of the mesmerizing Neverland and exuberant I’m Flying are terrific, getting help from the Darling children he picks up in London. Bria Maskovich delights in what can often be a bland part, portraying humor, the disappointment of unrequited love, and a good blend of motherly and girlish personality, with a good voice to boot. Her brothers John (Ben Auer) and Michael (Jake Childers) are obviously enjoying their new adventure that sis has brought them on, all adding to the bigger-than-life I’m Flying scene that ends the first act.

And then there’s the boo-hiss bad guy of bad guys, the infamous Captain Hook. And 15-year-old Michael Ciraulo thrives on his villainy, filling it with a perfect blend of vileness and hilarity as the leader of the pirates, adding a few one-liners himself both planned and off the fluffy cuff of his pirate shirt. They also added an April Fool’s joke for the closing night in which he temporarily surrenders to Peter Pan. He is catered to by a humorously clingy Smee (RJ Mayer) and a bevy of beautiful female pirates who amusingly commiserate with their poor leader’s stress while tending and primping the vain captain who depends on their attentive grooming.

Performed through April Fool's, 2006. No, really!

Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre

Peter Pan: