Review of Peter Pan from the NYS Ballet

by Glenn McCarty

A review of Peter Pan from the NYS Ballet, performing April 25 & 26, 2015 at Webster Schroeder High School, Webster, NY

A ballet with sword fights? How about flying? Yes, indeed, New York State Ballet’s production of the children’s classic Peter Pan has something for kids of all ages, but most of all to the little boys and girls who make up the target audience. As a relative newcomer to the Rochester arts scene, the New York State Ballet values making its performances accessible to “non-ballet” folks, and in this regard, this production is a huge hit. Its performance took J.M. Barrie’s timeless tale of the “boy who wouldn’t grow up” and, using original choreography set to traditional pieces of classical music, brought the story to life afresh. Pixie dust flew, pirates strutted, and a crocodile even slithered (scooted, perhaps?) around the stage. 

The production also benefited from a talented, enthusiastic cast who approached the performance with the right amount of whimsy and enthusiasm. Lead Tomahito Mori brought a big smile and effortless flying to his role as Pan, and Andee Neuscheler’s Tinkerbell was equal parts mischievous and meddling. Performances from James Walters as Captain Hook and Kate Kostelnik as Wendy were also strong, and the cast benefited from child dancers in a variety of supporting roles, including as stars in the night sky on the way to Neverland, fairies, and mermaids, as well as the Amadeus Chorale, who added live vocals to complement the orchestral soundtrack. 

If magic and wonder were the order of the day, NYSB’s Peter Pan is a rousing success, using much more than just pixie dust to lift its audience out of its seats. 

© 2015, KidsOutAndAbout.com

Glenn McCarty is a writer and father of two in Rochester, NY.