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<\/a><\/p>\nFrom reviewer Lily Olason from Entertainment News Northwest Magazine:<\/h3>\n
“Askland creates more magic”<\/p>\n
“…spectacular musicianship”<\/p>\n
“…this show delights believers of any age”<\/p>\n
“Askland\u2019s take on the Neverlandian pirate troupe is excellent”<\/p>\n
“Captain Hook (Peter Whited) is delightfully menacing”<\/p>\n
“Throughout,\u00a0the musicality and original score stuns”<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s as much fun to watch the show as to listen”<\/p>\n
“The aesthetics of this show…are a knockout”<\/p>\n
“Choreographed fabulously by Glynna Goff”<\/p>\n
“Forty-year-olds will love this as much as their third-grader”<\/p>\n
“It is certainly appropriate for kids”<\/p>\n
PAN the musical “asks the big questions, it makes you think, and hands you a mirror”<\/p>\n
“Pan: The Musical\u00a0is a local, skilled and professional-caliber production with a big heart”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(Begin review of new Peter Pan musical<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n September 20th, 2013<\/small><\/p>\n Askland creates more magic<\/strong> Conrad Askland scripts and orchestrates and Joe Bowen directs this heartwarming and original take on a classic pillar of English literature in\u00a0Pan: The Musical<\/em>. Complete with everything from Youngster Extraordinaire, Peter, to spectacular musicianship and flying people, this show delights believers of any age.<\/p>\n Joe Bowen opens fabulously as the reluctantly paternal George Darling. Coexisting with his progeny proves a lofty expectation, as he fights dog and doting Mrs. Darling (Karen Pollack) to attend a party downstairs. When Wendy\u2019s (Molly Wilson) not allowed to come along, we hear the first snippet of her inarguably gifted young pipes and the simultaneous unhappiness of her apathetic father.<\/p>\n Soon, infinitely youthful Peter (Ava Ross) and the Darling siblings meet as Peter rummages through their room in search of his shadow on hiatus. Morose and feeling rather neglected, Wendy and her brothers head off to Neverland, via Peter\u2019s preferred method of transportation (flight) and an uncanny knack for navigation (second star to the left, and straight on \u2018til morning).<\/p>\n Askland\u2019s take on the Neverlandian pirate troupe is excellent. Captain Hook (Peter Whited) is delightfully menacing, growling perfectly and displaying his namesake hand replacement to a T. His vendetta against Peter, a product of his alligator-induced hand-loss is perfectly played, and his delivery is spot-on.<\/p>\n Second in command and exceptionally acted, Smee (Brendan Francis), addresses the audience regularly, helps them boo Hook, and doesn\u2019t seem to care for his boss. His continued loyalty may point to a rather thorny prior contract.<\/p>\n As the Pirates employ various schemes to off Peter, Wendy is appointed as honorary mother to the wonderfully well cast assortment of Lost Boys. Choreographed fabulously by Glynna Goff, every number in which they move is a joy to watch. They add another classic, yet original, aspect to this fun show.<\/p>\n Throughout, the musicality and original score stuns. Both Askland and Ruth Haines contribute catchy and collaborative keyboards. Rebecca Wright\u2019s melodic oboe, Michelle Hanna\u2019s excellent clarinet, Bruce Hanna\u2019s punchy and definitive tuba, Peter Bridgman\u2019s balanced and foundational bass, and David Bridgman\u2019s skilled ensemble and solo drums contribute to a very tight orchestra. The vocalists, of all ages, have done an incredible job, often led by Karen Pollack\u2019s astronomical chops.<\/p>\n The aesthetics of this show, too, are a knockout. Between beautiful set and artwork by Deirdre Czoborek and a fascinating display of shadow theatre by Anna and Sarah Furrow (set to Adia Bowen\u2019s sonorous voice), it\u2019s as much fun to watch the show as to listen.<\/p>\n Though it is certainly appropriate for kids, adults, fear not. Forty-year-olds will love this as much as their third-grader. And the grandparents will recognize the story immediately. It asks the big questions, it makes you think, and hands you a mirror. Most importantly,\u00a0Pan: The Musical<\/em>\u00a0is a local, skilled and professional-caliber production with a big heart.<\/p>\n The production plays September 20 through October 6 at the lovely Lincoln Theatre in Mt. Vernon. See the\u00a0Lincoln Theatre website<\/a>\u00a0for precise dates and times, along with ticket prices.<\/p>\n You gotta believe!<\/p>\n # # #<\/p>\nStraight on \u2019til morning<\/a><\/h2>\n
\nby Lily Olason<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n