The MFJS Reporter — Winter 2020 M-W

Just before the curtain goes up, the artistic director of Colorado Ballet, Gil Boggs, explains that the light wands will be needed at the end of the second act to revive Tinkerbell. Boggs gently forewarns the audience, “everyone who switches theirs on must believe in fairies.”

The first act of the ballet focuses on Wendy, John, and Michael Darling’s life at home playing in their room. Peter has quite an impressive entrance, literally flying through the air strapped into a harness. Tinkerbell is also introduced within the first few dances, debuting her untraditional costume that features a headpiece with ear-like extensions and functioning fairy lights cascading across her brightly colored dress. 

Although the first act of Peter Pan is quite lively, Celeste McNamara, a junior at the University of Denver, thinks it could have been cut shorter.

“I got to be bored and felt like they over-established the home setting,” said McNamara.

The first act ends with Peter, Tink, Wendy, John, and Michael flying to Neverland together, suspended about 20 feet above the stage. Once in Neverland, the second act introduces the audience to Captain Hook and his pirate crew, the Lost Boys, and a group of native women. 

Peter Pan has a stunning pas de deux (duet) with Tiger Lily, one of the native women, which was a favorite of DU sophomore and former ballerina, Andja Stepanovic.

“They moved so well together and it was really mesmerising,” said Stepanovic.

The native women wore exaggerated costumes: short skirts, cropped tops, and large feathered headpieces. 

In an era where cultural appropriation is an acutely important issue, the way these women are portrayed is notable. 

Stepanovic feels conflicted about their costumes.

“I really liked them, but I don’t think it was necessary for their stomachs to be showing. I noticed that they were significantly less covered up than every other dancer in the show,” she said.

Later on in the second act, Tinkerbell is injured and appears to have died. Peter then calls out to the audience for help. Slowly the crowd starts light up as audience members turn on their light wands and wave them eagerly, creating a concert-like atmosphere in the theater. To the utter glee of the children in the audience, their participation brings Tinkerbell back to life.

A second intermission follows Tinkerbell’s revival and the third act gives way to the climax and resolution of the story. Hook has captured Peter, the Darlings, and the Lost Boys. After a fight scene, Peter pushes Hook overboard and they are all free to go. The ballet comes to a close shortly thereafter; the Darlings return home to their parents safely.

McNamara thinks the story was easy to follow, but has her reservations about story ballets in general.

“I think story ballets are good when you know the story since ballet doesn’t involve language, but I prefer when there isn’t a story and it’s just pure talent and dance and energy.” 

Preferences aside, Colorado Ballet certainly delivered on beautiful dancing and an overall impressive performance on this bleak winter Sunday afternoon.

Stepanovic left feeling fulfilled.

“I’d go to another Colorado Ballet performance any day, no question.”