"Peter Pan Goes Wrong," show #952

San Francisco Playhouse’s currently running production of Peter Pan Goes Wrong is an absolute hoot; where malfunctions and mayhem are part of the bill, and audiences are treated to an evening of heartfelt humor and enough belly laughs to make you sore. Like Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, you’ll laugh like a kid no matter your age in this family-friendly, comedy-driven show.

(Cast of Peter Pan Goes Wrong; Photo credit: Jessica Palopoli)

Written with a knack for site-gags and physical comedy, Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Slayer continue their …Goes Wrong series with a terrific re-telling of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale where everything should go wrong. The earnestness of the uniformly talented cast and terrific eye for timing and bits by director Susi Damilano is tops in this wonderful production.

(Top to Bottom: Maggie Mason (Sandra), Joe Ayers (Max), and Greg Ayers (Dennis); Photo credit: Jessica Palopoli)

Understudy Ariel Anderson played the title role of Peter Pan as actor Jonathan (the role is traditionally played by Ezra Reaves) the evening I saw the show, and did so with nimbleness and youthful pep. Greg Ayers is great as Dennis, portraying a forgetful John Darling and hilarious Mr. Smee. Joe Ayers delivers a memorable turn as Max, who portrays Michael Darling with splendid showmanship and a welcomed wink every time a joke lands (as is intended for the Max character in the …Goes Wrong series). Maggie Mason, as Sandra, completes the Darling children brigade as older sister/motherly figure Wendy, and is true in every take and reaction to her co-stars as crushes are revealed and mishaps propel the welcomed wrong-ness of this show. 

(L to R: Joe Ayers (Max), Maggie Mason (Sandra), and Greg Ayers (Dennis); Downstage (Patrick Russell (Robert); Photo credit: Jessica Palopoli)

Jomar Tagatac delivers a stalwart Chris Bean, who portrays Mr. Darling and Captain Hook; his interactions with the audience and gravitas are strong as the villainous Hook. Patrick Russell is a fantastic Robert, who delivers a physical comedy prowess among an already demanding show as Nana, Peter Pan’s Shadow, and Starkey; there is no shortage to Russell’s ability to change a voice or posture and deliver a completely different, always hilarious character. Renee Rogoff is a standout as Annie, taking on a quartet of portrayals as Mrs. Darling, Lisa, Tinkerbell, and Lost Boy Curly. Rogoff makes each role a rousing turn of character work and physical comedy, whether by a simple facial expression or as complex as handling the lightning-fast costume changes with finesse and ease. Phaedra Tillery-Boughton is a wildly fun, charismatic narrator Francis; Christian McCooey does well as Gill, the stagehand and paramedic; Terrance Austin Smith is fabulously frantic as stage manager Trevor; and Sophie Schulman rounds out the cast as the stage-frightened Lucy, who portrays Lost Boy Tootles, with memorable moments of humor, heart, and stalwart support within the integrity of when this comedy is peak and when the heart shines through at the end.

(Jomar Tagatac (Chris); Photo credit: Jessica Palopoli)

With character-appropriate costume design by Kathleen Qiu, each actor accomplishes the job of diving fully into each role they play, whether one or four. Cody Tellis Rutledge’s set design, the technical main character of any …Goes Wrong play, does not disappoint, whether housing the Darling family in a funhouse of decor and breaking pieces, or a turntable that makes the ending montage of plots a capital moment of enjoyment. 

(Phaedra Tillery-Boughton (Francis); Photo credit: Jessica Palopoli)

Peter Pan Goes Wrong is not an easy task to tackle, but San Francisco Playhouse’s cast, crew, and team are making the wrong go so right. It doesn’t compromise Barrie’s source material in the least, and only elevates how earnest and timeless these characters are. Even when everything is breaking and bashing, the flow to the story never halts, and it ends with a beautifully delivered moment by Lucy, handled expertly by Schulman, that reminds you that even when the humor is in abundance, there is no theater without a bit of heart. I implore you to get yourself out to the theater to enjoy it for yourself!