Director's risks pay off in Tuacahn 'Peter Pan'

"PETER PAN," Tuacahn Amphitheater, Ivins, through Sept. 1 (800-746-9882 or www.tuacahn.org). Running time: 140 minutes (one intermission).

IVINS — Throwing caution to the winds — and these days the winds wafting through Dixie's red-rock canyons carry the smoky aroma of brush fires — Scott S. Anderson has taken some interesting and very successful risks with "Peter Pan."

The first thing done by the Tuacahn artistic director — who also directed the show — was to go against the time-worn tradition of having a female play the title role.

Equity actor Aaron De Jesus, who is a Wasatch Front favorite, has just the right mix of solid acting/singing talent, agile athleticism and youthful energy to stamp the high-flying role with his own personality. (Ironically, De Jesus was a last-minute casting choice, hired after another actor left the show when it was already into rehearsals.)

The second big risk was installing an extensive flying system, engineered and designed specifically for Tuacahn's sprawling outdoor stage. Not content with just soaring out over the first three or four rows, Tuacahn's system has cables that go from both sides of the stage all the way to the sound and light booths hovering just above the top rows of the amphitheater.

One slightly odd choice is listing the setting for this production as 19th-century San Francisco, since it's normally set in London. But there's nothing in the action to make the locale site-specific — and 95 percent of the show takes place in far-off Neverland.

The huge ensemble is packed with fine singers and dancers.

The players in leading roles are just as good as De Jesus (and many are also Equity professionals) — notably Erin Krom as Wendy, Michael J. Hawkins in the dual role of Mr. Darling and boo-worthy Captain Hook, former Utahn Suzie Jacobsen Balser as Tiger Lily (seen on alternate nights as Nellie Forbush in "South Pacific"), and Kenneth Wayne as Smee. Ben Atkin and Caye Clark are also great as Wendy's younger brothers, John and Michael, with Jan Broberg Felt as their mother and Joseph Shumate as Nana, the family dog.

David Tinney's choreography is lively — especially in the big ensemble segments. Other aspects — Eric Fielding's scenery, David Swenson's sound, Joseph Eddy's lighting and Emily McVey, Priscilla Hao and John R. Titensor's costuming — are first-rate.

Rhonda Rhodes leads the 17-member live orchestra — one of whom is shot by irritable Captain Hook ("I've always wanted to do that," he tells the audience).

"Peter Pan," with its exotic Neverland locales, is perfectly suited to Tuacahn's vast stage and canyon backdrop.

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