Reviews: Peter Pan and Wendy presented by Thomas A. Edison HS
Written by Emily Reisman of McLean High School
Magical worlds, twinkling fairies, and pirate adventures may only exist in a child’s imagination, but Thomas Edison High School’s production of Peter Pan and Wendy proved that they exist in real life too.
First appearing in J.M. Barrie’s 1902 novel The Little White Bird, Peter Pan eventually got his own story with a 1904 London play. A long list of adaptations has followed since, with Thomas Edison High School’s director Jeffrey Lee Walker adding to that list. Fueled by a childhood love for the story, Walker adapted Peter Pan and Wendy into an original version. The play revolves around an adult Wendy telling her daughter about meeting Peter Pan as a child and flying to Neverland as a mother for the Lost Boys. While there, Wendy, Peter, and the Lost Boys fight enemy pirates and the fear of growing up.
Tara West as Wendy embodied a motherly figure, a nurturing voice and gentle gestures presenting Wendy’s compassionate nature. West’s soft and angelic vocals furthered this effect, a soothing lullaby reassuring those reliant on Wendy. Nithy Pelekasis was skillful as Older Wendy, both contrasting and mirroring West’s performance. While West’s light-footed walk captured girlish naivety and cheer, Pelekasis’ sophisticated movement illustrated composed maturity to show Wendy’s age. The moments when Pelekasis matched West’s youthful expression were solemn yet beautiful, Wendy reminiscing of foregone magic.
Mateus Garbaliauskas portrayed Peter Pan with boyish confidence and ambition, swiftly leaping over beds whilst chasing his loose shadow and standing tall when confronting pirates. His assertive but benevolent tone depicted Peter as a believable leader, capable of taking charge. Garbaliauskas also unveiled the downside of Peter’s perpetual youth, displaying an immature petulance with a sulky tone and dismissive crossed arms.
Jackson Byrd was a comically villainous Captain Hook, imposing posture and firm voice creating an intimidating antagonist, but high-pitched shrieks and exaggerated panic at a mohawk-touting crocodile making an amusing contrast.
Sophia Wiegold was mesmerizing as Tinkerbell, characterized entirely through silent motion. Wiegold’s lithe stride was fitting for a majestic fairy, juxtaposed with her sassy eye rolls and ornery gestures to showcase Tinkerbell’s irritable side. Tinkerbell’s sparkly frilled dress and glowing wings, made by Wiegold herself, enhanced the fairy’s magical appearance.
The performers excelled at telling the story through movement as much as words, from the deliberate striking of swords to pantomimed struggles with invisible forces pulling at wands to the predatory slithering of a crocodile. The motions matched the tempo of sound effects and songs precisely, giving the impression of a cartoon come to life.
Charlotte Westbrook, Penelope Shanks, and Keegan Alexander’s sets differentiated between reality and Neverland. The neutral-colored beds of the real world appeared bland beside the vibrantly red pirate ships of Neverland, symbolizing the appeal of the fantasy setting. Nithy Pelekasis and Crew’s hair and makeup heightened this idea, understated curls given to the Darling parents versus intriguing sparkly face paint and seashell-speckled hair to the mermaids.
Malyha Bashar, Arcadia Perszyk, Bryon Pinkney, and Cricket Lammers’ intricate lighting designs enlivened the show. Every scene was backdropped in vivid colors, mystical green for Tinkerbell or sinister red for Hook. The creative incorporation of star-shaped lights embodied the show’s dreaminess, Wendy and Peter silhouetted against a night sky. Perhaps the most masterful display was the simplest, a single spotlight on Older Wendy as she pretends to fly, the light fading just as the memory does.
Through expressive performances and whimsical lighting, a sense of nostalgic childlike wonder hit the stage. Thomas Edison High School’s Peter Pan and Wendy was an entrancing reminder that one is never too old to fly.
Written by Allie Vargo of McLean High School
The chiming notes of a tinkling music box ring out across the stage. A mechanical battle rages within— with Hook’s sinister pirate crew slicing and slashing at nimble lost boys as they leap through Neverland’s fantastical world of mermaids and magic, all while a young girl runs lost in the overwhelming crowd. Welcome to Thomas Edison High School’s production of the newly adapted J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and Wendy.
This iconic tale was originally written as the 1904 play Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, by J.M. Barrie, before Barrie expanded the tale in his 1911 novel, Peter Pan and Wendy. After its debut, the story has become a fan favorite among audiences — with its plot being adapted into a Disney movie and a number of classic Broadway musicals. Edison’s production features a new retelling of the fairytale, adapted from J.M. Barrie’s novel by Director Jeffery Lee Walker. The play follows the young Wendy as she ventures out of the window of her London home and into the whimsical world of Neverland, following her companion Peter Pan through daring adventures and passionate reunions.
In the role of Wendy, Tara West masterfully balanced the childlike innocence and nurturing spirit of her character. Even while nagging her de-facto children, West’s open facial expressions and light, breathy movements highlighted her character’s youthful age. Further, West’s connection with her emotions made the magic of Neverland work; her joy, fear, and wonder gave the audience a window into the world of pixie dust and pirates which surrounded her. In the role of Peter Pan, Mateus Garbaliauskas similarly breathed life into the world beyond the window. Garbaliauskas’ expressive voice and physicality both completed Neverland and revealed its flaws, with his open arms and strong voice slowly being revealed to hide the small, troubled boy that represented Peter’s core.
But with a darting green light and the faint sound of a ringing bell, Tinkerbell has arrived. In the role of the passionate pixie herself, Sophia Wiegold flitted about the stage, twisting and twirling, spreading mischief and magic to her allies and enemies alike. Every emotion or action was so distinct that no spoken words were necessary—instead, Weigold’s actions spoke for themselves. Her presence on stage was magnetic, and her bright wings and even brighter expressions immediately drew the eyes of every member of the audience.
In the role of Captain Hook, Jackson Byrd was not only uproariously funny but also properly menacing. From his first, lounging appearance, Byrd commanded respect: his confident gait, commanding voice, and gleaming silver hook made sure of that. However, his bumbling schemes and passionate speeches highlighted the hilarity within the classic villain—a perfect balance for audiences of all ages.
The land of Neverland was completed by the phenomenal tech elements incorporated throughout the production. To begin, the minimalist set executed by Charlotte Westbrook, Penelope Shanks, Keegan Alexander, and Crew seamlessly transitioned through Neverland’s fantasy setting, acting as rocks, stairs, and boats for the cast to become immersed in the world’s magic. Additionally, the otherworldly makeup (created by Nicoletta Pelekasis and Crew) and detailed costumes (created by Sophia Wiegold and Tara West) built the mesmerizing allure of Neverland’s mythical and magical creatures, fascinating and captivating the audience’s eyes. Lastly, the play’s exceptional lighting designs, made by Malyha Bashar, Arcadia Perszyk, Bryon Pinkney, and Cricket Lammers provided the perfect backdrop for Neverland’s hypnotic charm to thrive—finalizing the fairytale charm which the play demanded.
An essential story of nostalgia, community, and love, there is no better celebration of childhood than Thomas Edison’s production of Peter Pan and Wendy.