“The best way to lose a dream is to grow up.”

Forget about flying with happy thoughts; there are only existential crises here! Director Alexander Gerchak’s The Peter Pan Cometh is a comedy play closely similar to Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh. After the disastrous deaths of the crewmates of the Jolly Roger, Captain Hook, Smee, and Tinkerbell dream of a life outside of Neverland. A transformed and older Peter Pan swoops in to help free them of their troubles. However, Peter holds secrets that quietly haunt him.

While many in the audience were swept up in this production’s comedy, some moments felt too long and dull. Fortunately, these moments were forgettable. There definitely were some aspects of the play that stood out. The lighting design was beautifully detailed, reflecting the despondency and despair of the classic fairytale characters. Although the costumes were not very elaborate, they fitted each character extremely well and added to the believability of the performances by the actors. The lighting and costumes manifested a vivid environment that drew the audience further into Neverland. The cast also showed immense dedication, especially during high-energy scenes and emotional moments.

Thomas Buan plays the miserable and infamous Captain Hook. With a gritty accent and tottering gait, Buan’s performance as the cacophonous pirate was unforgettable. Joined by Captain Hook were the pixie dust-addicted Smee (Alec Berchem) and tragically depressed Tinkerbell (Isabelle Hopewell). This glum and gloomy trio was thoroughly captivating as they flounced around the room, and their energy set the stage for Nick Hill’s equally mesmerizing performance. Hill’s portrayal of Peter Pan was a true display of masterful characterization. Whether skating around the stage with roller shoes, snorting insane amounts of pixie dust, or flopping like a fish on the floor, this cast kept the crowd laughing.