Reviewed
by Judd Hollander
The subtext to the question
"when did you grow up" is "when did you stop being a
child"? A question explored in Sarah Ruhl’s bittersweet drama For Peter Pan on her 70th birthday at
Playwrights Horizons.
In the 1990s, in a hospital room
in Davenport , Iowa
Later on, at the family home, the
five hold a traditional Irish wake for the parent they have just lost. While also
coming to terms with, among other things, the fact that they are now orphans.
The conversation a mixture of childhood reminisces, Catholicism, God, Santa
Claus and some rather passionate political viewpoints. Particularly interesting
is an offered explanation – as it applied to their father – of how one can
claim to be against a welfare state, yet still ostensibly take money from the
government. The family chemistry comfortable enough so that the opinions
offered are exchanged in an atmosphere free of permanent reprisal or
condemnation. Though while the dynamic is now one of comfortable friction,
there are suggestions it wasn’t always the case. Ann (Kathleen Chalfant), the
eldest sibling in the brood, noting that since their mother died, there has
been less arguing present.
Another question which comes up
during the conversations is when did everything get so out of control in the
world, and when people become so angry with each other? Said query a
not-so-veiled reference to what is going on in the present day. The seeds of
which were planted in this earlier generation, as well as the ones before that.
In the wake of their father's
death, there comes the issue of the inevitability of change, and how the
children deal with the thoughts of their own mortality. Some accepting its
eventuality, others determined to ignore it as long as they can. The show
asking the different characters just when they got to the point in their lives where
anything was no longer possible and when they could no longer fly on dreams and
fairy dust. Much like Peter Pan did in James M. Barrie’s classic play of the same
name. Or, as one of the family (Keith Reddin) had as his childhood motto:
“immorality through immaturity”. Yet as Ruhl goes on to demonstrate, that
outlook changes when one's adult responsibilities, such as work and family, not
to mention new possibilities for the future, becomes more important than
childhood dreams.
Ruhl, who conceived the show as
present for her mother - who also played the Barrie
creation in her youth - has a lot of fun with so-called "Peter Pan
metaphor". (Of the five family members, three are named John, Michael and
Wendy.) While also showing what happens when those who were once children,
become too old to simply fly away.
This idea being wonderfully
realized in a sequence which seamlessly combines the realities of the adult
world with the magic and seeming invincibility of youth. One complete with an
appearance by Captain Hook – David Chandler doing a deliciously devilish turn
in the role. There’s also an errant shadow, a childhood nursery, and the sound
of an ominous ticking clock. An object which could also be construed as a
wistful comment on the passage of time.
Despite the show’s strong overall message,
the work falters when it comes to characterization. There being, with one
exception, little depth to any of the characters presented. The family,
especially the three brothers - John (Daniel Jenkins), Michael (Keith Reddin),
and Jim (Chandler ) - being pretty
interchangeable with one another. The group staking out various moral positions,
with the audience never given the chance to find out who these people really
are underneath. Even though we do get a look at their various backgrounds. This
oversimplification thus lessening the story's emotional impact.
The only character who comes across
fully formed is Ann. Chalfant doing an excellent job portraying her both as a
staunch liberal and the only one in the family who never lost her childlike
outlook on how things are supposed to be. She often clinging to that perception
with a stubborn resistance to reality. It also helps that Ann figures much more
into the makeup of the story than any of the others.
Crawford does a nice job as the
father. His character serving as a both an emotional reminder and anchor to the
other characters and their reactions.
The show is nicely directed by Les
Waters. Though some of the time spent in the hospital could be cut without
losing anything important.
Light on characterization and with
a rather slow start, For Peter Pan on her
70th birthday remains a tale with an involving and gentle
moral core. One showing that while we all have to grow up eventually, retaining
that childlike sense of wonder is still possible.
Featuring: Kathleen Chalfant (Ann),
Daniel Jenkins (John), Keith Reddin (Michael), David Chandler (Jim/Captain
Hook), Lisa Emery (Wendy), Ron Crawford (The Father), Macy (A dog).
For Peter Pan on her
70th birthday
by Sarah Ruhl
Scenic Designer: David Zinn
Costume Designer: Kristopher Castle
Lighting Designer: Matt Frey
Original Music and Sound Design: Bray Poor & Charles
Coes
Animals by: William Berloni Theatrical Animals
Fight and Fly Director: Ryan Bourque
Flying Effects: ZFX Flying Effects
Production Stage Manager: Amanda Spooner
Assistant Stage Manager: Shelly Miles
Directed by Les Waters
Playwrights Horizons
Mainstage Theater
Tickets: 212-279-4200 or www.ticketcentral.com
Running Time: 90 minutes, no intermission
Closes: October 1,
2017
