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South Jordan Journal

'Peter Pan' soars into Eccles with an updated version for a new generation

Nov 06, 2024 03:21PM ● By Peri Kinder

Captain Hook (Cody Garcia) battles Peter Pan (Nolan Almeida) during the Broadway touring production of "Peter Pan".

Photo credit: Matthew Murphy

For more than 100 years, J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” has taken children and adults to a magical Neverland, where kids don’t have to grow up, fairies twinkle and even the scariest of adventures turn out all right.

Broadway at the Eccles presents the ageless story of “Peter Pan”, introducing new audiences to a refreshed version of the classic tale with Peter, Wendy, Tiger Lily and Captain Hook showing us Neverland in a new way. 

Played by the charismatic 17-year-old Nolan Almeida, Peter finds his way to the nursery of Wendy (Hawa Kamara), John (William Foon) and Michael (Camden Kwok) where he invites them on an adventure. Fun special effects and lots of fairy dust make the kids’ flying journey to Neverland a roller-coaster of a ride. 

Captain Hook (Cody Garcia) stole the show with his wicked grin and black-hearted threats as he and his band of pirates faced off against Peter and the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily (Raye Zaragoza) and her clan, and Wendy and her brothers. 

Kamara’s Wendy was an updated version of the young girl who has aspirations of becoming a doctor. As she mothers the Lost Boys and worries about her brothers, she knows they need to return to their real home. 

The final battle between pirates and children was a conglomeration of Hook’s funny repartee, Peter’s flying, sword fights, plank walking and, of course, a tick-tocking crocodile.

My 7-year-old granddaughter loved the second half of the show but thought the first half was a bit slow. After being enthralled by Garcia’s performance, she wants to be Captain Hook for next Halloween. 

Native American playwright and choreographer Larissa Fasthorse adapted Barrie’s novel with updated dialogue and themes and additional lyrics were added by Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Amanda Green.

Originally choreographed and directed by Jerome Robbins, the new “Peter Pan” show was directed by Lonny Price and choreographed by Lorin Latarro.

With colorful scenes, a blinking Tinkerbell, mysterious shadows, fast-paced songs and dancing, “Peter Pan” will have you reflecting on the bittersweet nature of growing up with whimsy, darkness and high-flying fun. 

“Peter Pan” runs through Sunday, Nov. 10 at Eccles Theater.