And I love taking them. The shows are so well performed. They are entertaining enough to keep the attention of 3 years old Johnny, educational enough to engage and delight 6 year old Katie and Jetta, and technically sophisticated enough to fascinate adults like me. I love after the show is over, when the puppeteers come out and show us how they did the special effects and manipulated the puppets.
I was amazed to discover that there were only six puppeteers to portray the huge cast, including Wendy, John and Michael, Nana the dog, Mr and Mrs Darling, Captain Hook, the Lost Boys, the Croc, the mermaids, Tiger Lily, Tinkerbell and of course, Peter Pan. This show was particularly beautiful because they used black-light puppetry. The entire show was performed under ultraviolet light which made the puppets and the scenery glow-in-the-dark. Projected animation and shadow puppetry were also used to help tell the story.
Peter Pan was a huge hit with the kids. Jetta's favorite scene was Peter chasing his shadow around the room. It was very funny and she also loved when the audience helped to revive Tinkerbell after she drank some poison to save Peter's life. Of course, Johnny loved the fight scene between Captain Hook and Peter Pan and the scenes with crocodile. And Katie, being a red-head, loved that all of the Mermaids had beautiful long, red hair.
But the kids all agreed on one thing. Their very favorite part of any trip to CPA is the Create-A-Puppet Workshop after the show. This time, they were so excited because the puppet was a crocodile!!
This show, adapted and directed by Michael Haverty was based on the children's classic by J.M. Barrie. Even though there were a few surprises, it was basically the same story that we all grew up loving. The familiar underlying truths were the same, good triumphs over evil, no matter have alluring the world is, there's no place like home and the assurance that parents will always be waiting with open arms. The show also reminds parents that part of our job is to nurture those childhood qualities of adventure and imagination so that our children will be confident to follow their dreams where ever they lead them.
I say this every time, but this really was my favorite performance so far. I strongly encourage you to take your children to see Peter Pan. I know they will enjoy it as much as my family did.
Peter Pan will be appearing Tuesday through Sunday until May 27th. Tickets are $16.50 and include the Create-Puppet Workshop and the museum. Children under 2 are FREE. Many performances sell out, so you may purchase advance tickets HERE.
