A Critique of ABA Productions’ Essay

ABA Productions musical interpretation of J. M. Barrie’s well-loved children’s story rekindled in its audience the desire to soar in the air, dance with fairies and swim with mermaids. It is currently on its Asian Tour and will be shown in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Lyric Theater on June 1, 2007. The story begins when Peter Pan teaches three children (Wendy, John and Michael Darling) how to fly using their happy thoughts and fairy dust from a little pixie named Tinkerbell. Mystery and adventure unravels excitingly as they meet lost boys (and girls) who are serious about being children for the rest of their lives, Indians under the leadership of Princess Tiger Lily, mermaids who can dance gracefully, and terribly funny pirates! Captain Hook, the leader of these buccaneers is Peter Pan’s most formidable opponent and almost succeeded in eliminating all of Neverland. But of course, Peter Pan saved the day! Considering that the play’s creative core is heavy with renowned professionals from all over the world, it probably took its Executive Producer-Director, Matthew Gregory, years of happy thoughts and tons of fairy dust to make his team create such a cohesive yet vibrant production that seemed to be perfect in all aspects. Gregory wonderfully intertwined very good lighting, ingenuous stage design (which was imported from China), spectacular effects, innovative technology and impressive music (composed by famous composer, Karl Jenkins) to heighten or downplay the mood of every scene. Tracy Nunnally, the flying director, proved his prowess as the flying actors glided on and off the stage with comfort and ease that seemed to be just a natural thing to do. The make-up and costumes (especially for the mermaids who can walk with their fins) brought out the very nature of each character and drew the audience even more into the story. Praises to Elaine Wade and Carol Bloomfield for such beautiful and imaginative costumes! Thirteen year old Ryutaro Yanagita (playing Peter Pan) amazed everyone with his relentless energy and stunts on the ground and in the air. The choreography of popular Filipino choreographer, Kitty Aguila-Cortes, required a lot of running, jumping and break dancing moves but you will never hear this boy catch his breath†¦ only the audience does. One’s spirit cannot help but join him fly as he zooms beyond the stage and above the crowd. Only one character in the play seemed to lack enough humor or rapport with the audience – Nana, the nurse dog. The actor portrayed the role well but one is left thinking if there were scenes that should have focused on this character’s antics to add more spice to the fuss. Peter Pan’s message is the answer to man’s quest for eternal youth: Keep your happy thoughts alive in you heart and have faith in yourself and others. ABA Productions effectively conveyed this theme as every person in the audience felt so much happier and youthful after the play. This is one spectacular and powerful show that no child or child at heart should ever miss!