Peter Pan and Wendy

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Cast Size

3w, 5m
Duration

120 minutes (2 hours)
Target Audience

Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary

Bold, budding scientist Wendy Darling dreams of earning a Nobel Prize. When Peter Pan arrives at her bedroom window, she takes a leap and leaves finishing school behind, chasing adventure among the stars. Facing down fairies, mermaids and the dastardly Captain Hook, Wendy, Peter, and their friends discover the power of standing up together for what’s right. J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan is reimagined for a new generation of theatregoers as a bright, charming, feminist, anti-colonial, empowering play for all ages.

History

Peter Pan and Wendy premiered at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC on December 3, 2019. Directed by Alan Paul, the production featured Sinclair Daniel, Justin Mark and Derek Smith. A new edition of the play premiered at Kansas City Rep on May 4, 2023. Directed by Stuart Carden, the production featured Cereyna Bougouneau, Harrison Bryan and John Tufts.

Cast Attributes

Role(s) for Indigenous Actor(s)

Keywords

Performing Groups

Real World (All British):
WENDY DARLING – Precocious, smart, ambitious girl, 14
MOTHER / MRS. DARLING – Her mother, kind but hurried (*Doubles as Tink)
JOHN DARLING – Middle son, anxious, 12
MICHAEL DARLING – Youngest son, adventurous, 9
MR. DARLING – Their father, pompous and unthinking (*Doubles as HOOK)

Neverland:
PETER PAN – A rebellious, confident, excitable boy, both 15 and ageless, also American.
TINKERBELL – A spunky fairy with mean-girl vibes
TIGER LILY – Proud, smart, wisecracking indigenous girl, 15
TOOTLES – Lost boy
CURLY – Lost boy
SLIGHTLY – Lost boy

Pirates:
CAPTAIN HOOK – The one and only, mean, strong, determined
SMEE – Pirate, his second in command and a certifiable yes man
STARKEY – Pirate
JUKES – Pirate
NOODLER – Pirate

Setting Edwardian-era London and Neverland.
Features Fantasy Costumes, Period Costumes
Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

★★★★★ “A sensational reimagining for a new generation.” – DC Theatre Scene

“Sweet and saucy... This charming new version of J.M. Barrie’s timeless play is all about girl power... It’s lovely to see Wendy as the most important character in the story this time — and to know that she’s going to make a fantastic grown-up.” – The Washington Post

★★★★★ “A sensational reimagining for a new generation... With a story that appeals to nearly every generation... Peter Pan and Wendy is a must-see this holiday season.” – DC Theatre Scene

“Delightful… run, don’t walk to see this brilliant and happy production!” – The Georgetown Dish

“Beguiling... majestically magical… Lauren Gunderson has looked at the classic tale through a lens that can see what daughters and sons face growing up today.” – DC Metro Theater Arts

“A show that will delight adults and children alike. It is pure, decadent fun... [it] has all the magic, joy, and much of the potency of J.M. Barrie's original, but is reimagined for a contemporary audience.” – Broadway World

“Imaginative… A buoyant and sparkling new reimagining of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale.” – MD Theatre Guide

Videos

Peter Pan and Wendy – Shakespeare Theatre Company Trailer
Peter Pan and Wendy – Kansas City Rep Trailer
Peter Pan and Wendy – Audience Reactions
Lauren Gunderson on Peter Pan and Wendy

Licensing & Materials

Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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Ticketing

Authors

Lauren Gunderson

Lauren Gunderson is a playwright, screenwriter, and short story author from Atlanta, GA, who lived in NYC before finding San Francisco. She received her MFA in Dramatic Writing at NYU Tisch, where she was also a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. She has been commiss ...

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J.M. Barrie

All children, except one, grow up

James Matthew Barrie was born in the small weaving town of Kirriemuir, Scotland, on 9th May 1860, the ninth of ten children of a handloom weaver. For the first six years of his life, James lived in the shadow of his mother’s love for his older ...

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Peter Pan and Wendy