Peter Pan
Musical
Writers:Sir James Matthew (J.M.) Barrie Mark “Moose” Charlap Jule Styne Betty Comden Adolph Green Carolyn Leigh
Overview
Synopsis
Peter Pan tells the classic J.M. Barrie tale of a young boy who refuses to grow up. On a quest to find stories with which to entertain his young cohorts in Neverland -- an island refuge for “Lost Boys” -- Peter returns to the real world and meets Wendy, Michael, and John Darling. The Darling children accompany Peter back to the magical Neverland, where they learn to fly, get involved in all sorts of adventures, defeat the evil Captain Hook, and are changed forever. J.M. Barrie’s masterful story shines especially brightly with a rich score that includes such beloved songs as “Tender Shepherd,” “Never Never Land,” and “Distant Melody.” A delightful musical featuring singing pirates, daring swordfights, and fantastical make-believe, Peter Pan is a story that is filled with magic, delight, and just a fairy dusting of heartbreak.
Show Information
- Music
- Mark “Moose” Charlap , Jule Styne
- Lyrics
- Betty Comden , Adolph Green , Carolyn Leigh
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Peter Pan (Peter and Wendy) 1904 play by Sir James M Barrie
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1954
- Genres
- Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- victorian england, neverland
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Elementary School, High School, Large Cast, Middle School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Religious Groups, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen, Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
The character of Peter Pan first appeared in Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie’s 1902 novel, The Little White Bird. The classic story as we know it in popular culture -- i.e. the story of Peter Pan and Wendy -- was first written by J.M. Barrie as a play entitled, Peter Pan or the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up. It is this play that became the basis for the book of the musical version. J.M. Barrie later adapted his play into a novel in
to read the context for Peter Pan and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
It is an evening in Victorian London, and Mr. and Mrs. Darling are bustling about their home in preparation for an elegant evening out. Their children, meanwhile, are playing make believe: Wendy, the eldest, is “Mother” and John, the middle-child, is “Father”. It is past 6 PM, and Nana -- the dog, who acts like a nanny -- barks at Michael, the youngest, to try to get him to get ready for bed. Wendy and John attempt to dance a waltz (which they know their parents will be doing when
to read the plot for Peter Pan and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
Songs
Act One
- Overture
- Tender Shepherd: Wendy, John, Michael, Mrs. Darling
- I’ve Gotta Crow: Peter Pan
- Never Never Land: Peter Pan
- I’m Flying: Peter Pan, Wendy, John, Michael
Act Two
- Pirate Song: Captain Hook and Pirates
- Hook’s Tango: Captain Hook and Pirates
- Indians: Tiger Lily and Indians
- Wendy: Peter Pan and Lost Boys
- Hook’s Tarantella: Captain Hook and Pirates
- Never Never Land (instrumental reprise): *Liza, *Animals
- I Won’t Grow Up: Peter Pan, Slightly, Curly, Twins, and Lost Boys
- Oh, My Mysterious Lady: Peter Pan and Captain Hook
- Wendy: Wendy and Lost Boys
- Ugg-a-Wugg: Peter Pan, Tiger Lily, Children, and Indians (this song was adapted to become True Blood Brothers in the 2014 Peter Pan Live! production)
- Distant Melody: Peter Pan
Act Three
- Captain Hook’s Waltz: Captain Hook and Pirates
- Reprise: I Gotta Crow: Peter Pan / Company
- Reprise: Tender Shepherd: Wendy, John, and Michael
- We WILL Grow Up: The Darling Family, Lost Boys
- Finale: Never Never Land: Peter Pan
The 2014 live television production additional songs included Peter's "When I Went Home" (cut from the original production, written by Charlap and Leigh); Hook's “Vengeance” and Wendy's “Only Pretend” (both adapted from songs from Do Re Mi) and a duet between Hook and Peter called “A Wonderful World Without Peter” (adapted from a song from Say Darling). All of the adapted pieces were written by Styne, Comden and Green, and adapted by Amanda Green, the daughter of original lyricist, Adolph Green.
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
A role with little to no lines who generally appears within a larger group of similar characters.
A Broadway musical written and produced between 1943 and 1965.
The script of the musical, separate from the musical orchestrations.
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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