Steampunk ‘Peter Pan’ soars back to Hale Center Theater Orem
On the hook: David Smith (left) and Josh Valdez star in "Peter Pan" at the Hale Center Theater Orem.
Everyone knows it's Wendy: MaKenna Tinney stars in "Peter Pan" at the Hale Center Theater Orem.
Hooked on crime: David Smith stars in "Peter Pan" at the Hale Center Theater Orem.
Captain Neverland: Josh Valdez stars in "Peter Pan" at the Hale Center Theater Orem.
The classic musical “Peter Pan” will open this week at the Hale Center Theater Orem, reimagined in a “steampunk” setting, a pseudo-Victorian style that features an emphasis on steam-powered machines and alternative retro perspective.
David Smith, who plays Captain Hook in the show, says the style adds to the show’s thematic resonance, especially when it comes to clocks.
“One theme — and you’ll see it all over the set — is time,” Smith said. “There’s clocks all over the set, referring to this idea of what time does to us. And when we go into Neverland, time sort of stops for a little bit, and you lose that sense of time, but whenever we go back to the real world, you’ll hear clock chimes in the background and the idea that time continues forward, time goes on. I love that.”
The use of steampunk styling is not the only theatrical invention in director Dave Tinney’s version not mentioned in the script itself, Smith said. In the beginning of the play, when the father character is putting on a necktie and getting ready for a work function, his sense of adult problems escalates to a comical anxiety, and the point is brought home thematically with visuals.
“When Captain Hook comes out, his whole outfit is completely made of neckties,” Smith said. “And when they capture Peter Pan, it’s a net made of neckties, and it kind of symbolizes how in the adult world we tie ourselves up with these silly things that stop us from being playful and creative.”
The way the production would handle flying, too, is something that had to be figured out for the intimate round theater at the Hale Center Theater Orem.
“The way (Tinney) has reimagined it is so creative,” Smith said. “It’s one of those things that I could try to explain to you, but it’s so much cooler if you come and see it, and you see the way they use flight throughout the show. It’s pretty magical.”
The musical, which was written by Mark Charlap, Jule Styne, Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, debuted in 1954 and originally starred Mary Martin as the boy Peter. The role is typically given to women, including in the 2014 NBC broadcast of “Peter Pan Live!” in which Allison Williams played the part.
But in this version, Peter is played by Josh Valdez.
“The director has never liked that the role is normally played by a woman,” Valdez said in an email interview. “It doesn’t make sense and hinders the story and the relationship between Peter and Wendy. So he always was planning on casting a male as Peter.”
Valdez is reprising his role for the production, which he first played two years ago, also under the direction of Tinney, and also at the Hale Center Theater Orem.
“They never bring back shows this soon,” Smith said, “but this one was received so well by audiences that they brought it back. There was so much desire for it, and it’s stuff like (the flying and the use of neckties). It’s so creative, so different than you will see anywhere.”
“The show has been reimagined for the Hale stage in many ways,” Valdez said “The thing I am most excited for is for audiences to remember what it’s like to be kids again. This show invites them to use their imagination, to remember what it’s like to pretend.”
Smith said he has studied the original texts for “Peter Pan,” written by J. M. Barrie in the early 20th century, and he has noted that the themes touching on growing up and childhood are aimed as much at adults as they are children, and the same applies to the show he is now in.
“There are moments in this show that blindside you a little bit with just how touching they are,” he said.
Ultimately, the play is not an argument for why children should never grow up, he said, but that adults should be grateful for all the eras of their lives.
“Let’s go ahead and grow up, let’s progress, but let’s not forget how we got here,” Smith said. “That’s, I think, the message. … It’s really deep stuff.”
PETER PAN
What: Musical based on the play by James M. Barrie
When: 7:30 p.m. every night, except Sunday, from Thursday to Aug. 6. Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. Beginning July 9, 11 a.m. matinees also will begin.
Where: Hale Center Theater Orem
Tickets: $17-$23
Info: (801) 226-8600, haletheater.org