A Family-Fun Frolic: Spectacular Costumes and Chaos at Panto in the Presidio

It all started with the endless banners showing actors dressed in Peter Pan magnificence, striking heroic poses down Lombard Street. “Panto in the Presidio!” they proclaimed. Mildly intrigued, I added it to my list of things to think about later. Then my friend J.A. Valentine mentioned, during a weekday lunch, that he was in it. “You should go!” he told me.
“Maybe…” I replied in my Northern California way, already mentally sifting through my busy holiday calendar.
“I’ll be dressed as a gay Triceratops,” Valentine said.
“In that case, I’m in!” I said. Calendar be damned. Some things in life just can’t be missed.

And so, I found myself following a group of excited kids and sequin-clad adults to the Presidio Theater on December 7th for opening night. Lit up for the holidays and twinkling with cheer, the theater beckoned us inside. I immediately spotted a plate of chocolate in a side room. I moved eagerly toward it, only to be blocked by a polite employee who informed me it was for a private party.

“Did I just get choc-blocked?” I muttered to my partner. I looked up and found myself facing a hot pink sign. It proclaimed candy would definitely be thrown during the performance. I immediately perked up and all was forgiven.

Clocking in at over two hours, Peter Pan, written by Richard Ciccarone and Stephanie Brown, and directed by Liam Vincent, takes you on an adventure full of enviable costumes and witty chickens. Essentially, it’s the original story of Peter Pan, overlaid with a San Francisco narrative. Both kids and adults join in the enchantment. This fourth-wall-breaking show encourages audience participation.

For those unfamiliar with “panto,” let me explain. Pantomime, or “panto,” is a form of musical comedy theater. It’s usually performed during the holidays with lots of audience interaction, exaggerated characters, and absurd plots. In this case, we get a very San Francisco twist on Peter Pan. Gone are the Victorian-inspired costumes of the original. In their place, we get a delightful parade of sparkles, glitter, and eclectic Bay Area flair. The costumes, designed Alina Bokovikova, are a highlight. From Tinker Bell’s glittery green outfit to Captain Hook’s black and pink skull patterned jacket (his wig matched), each piece was more resplendent than the last.

The story is a familiar one. Peter Pan (played by the charming Corey Bryant) invites Wendy (Abigail Esfira Campbell), John, and Michael Darling (Scott Reardon and Sleiman Alahmadieh) on an adventure to Neverland. But this isn’t your standard Peter Pan. Captain Hook (Rotimi Agbabiaka) plays the villain with campy humor. Tinker Bell (Chanel Tilghman) is mischievous and cute. The Three chicken chorus sport the names Cioppino, Mission Burrito and Sourdough. From tech jokes to digs at Hayward and Sausalito, the humor is for the locals.

Two standout moments were the auto-tuned crocodile and the mermaid chorus. The crocodile, played by William Schmidt gave us a spectacle. His deep voice warped into a perfect auto-tuned mix as he shimmied across the stage. Meanwhile, the mermaids (played by a glittering ensemble) and led by Renee Lubin as Treasure brought a whole other level of camp. 

Another unforgettable moment was the tap dance routine performed by John and Michael Darling. These two turned what could have been a simple sibling moment into a spectacular display of energy and skill. Their perfectly timed, high-energy tap dance number had the crowd clapping along, laughing, and cheering. 

It’s the kind of theater where you don’t just sit back and watch. You’re part of the fun. At one point, the audience was encouraged to cheer when Tinker Bell needed saving. Candy was indeed tossed into the crowd and all good natured hell broke loose. For anyone who has missed the thrill of live, interactive theater, this is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

If you’ve been on the fence about seeing Panto in the Presidio, let me assure you—it’s a holiday show worth attending. And if you’re lucky enough to be there when Curt Branom as Dolores swans by in his breathtaking pirate outfit topped with a sailing ship in his wig? Well, that’s just the cherry on top.

Peter Pan: Panto in the Presidio

Presidio Theater

99 Moraga Ave, San Francisco, CA

December 7 through December 29, 2024

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