The cast of San Francisco Playhouse's "Peter Pan Goes Wrong," performing September 26 - November 28. Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli
In these times, when political debates seem to need a preschool teacher rather than a passive moderator, and conversations often circle back to weighing the merits of robots that might also end humanity, “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” now at SF Playhouse, might just be the right medicine. This play within a play, directed by Susi Damilano, skillfully draws out the laughter from the very first scene and just keeps getting better.
The Cornley Drama Society, a group of amateur actors whose large egos crash headlong into their ineptness, has decided to perform J.M. Barrie’s 1904 classic. Mischief and mayhem abound from the moment confused stagehand Trevor (Terrance Austin Smith) steps on stage, eyes darting from side to side, to introduce Cornley directors and actors Chris (Tagatac) and Robert (Patrick Russell), who immediately begin to bicker and pull rank on one another. The audience is on board with the manic quest that the show must go on at all costs before the cell phone announcement is finished.
Ezra Reaves as Peter Pan and Maggie Mason as Wendy in San Francisco Playhouse's "Peter Pan Goes Wrong," performing September 26 - November 28. Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli
Peter Pan (Ezra Reaves) lives up to his reputation of never growing up by romancing all in his path as he crashes his way through the scenery. Is he afraid of growing up or simply concussed? Maybe this doesn’t matter so much as he and his trusty Tinkerbell (Renee Rogoff) lead Wendy (Maggie Mason), John (Greg Ayers), and Michael (Joe Ayers) to Neverland.
Phaedra Tillery Boughton, as the narrator, has a pocket full of glitter and is constantly upstaged and menaced by her motorized chair. Cornley player Max, as Michael, gives a smile after every line, expecting praise for being the best boy, and is rewarded with continuous cheers. John cannot remember his lines and wears headphones so that his lines are fed to him. Tinkerbell’s costume is attached to the main power, with electrifying results.
Actors (l to r: Patrick Russell, Greg Ayers, Joe Ayers, Ezra Reaves, and Maggie Mason) are surprised in San Francisco Playhouse's "Peter Pan Goes Wrong," performing September 26 - November 28. Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli
The possibilities for things to go hilariously wrong are limitless on Cody Tellis Rutledge’s clever set. Sound cues go haywire, things fly around that aren’t necessarily the actors, and even the audience participation comes off without a hint of cringe.
If you go, be sure to read the bios of the actors in the program for The Cornley Drama Society. It gives a taste of what’s to come. Both hilarious and touching in turns, the chaos unfolding on stage gives us a reason to laugh and makes for an entirely enjoyable night at the theater.
San Francisco Playhouse’s “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” continues through Nov. 28 at SF Playhouse. Tickets are $60 to $145 at sfplayhouse.org.
