The Peter Pan Cometh

Darkly Funny & Engaging

An excellent blend of the heavy "The Ice Man Cometh" with the whimsy of "Peter Pan"! Hilarious throughout but with the serious undertone of what growing up really means for these characters. The show was strong in all its elements: direction, cast, lighting, costumes, and sound. Don't miss this show!

A Positive, Spoiler-free* Review

I will preface this by saying I have seen both Peter Pan (Mary Martin's classic portrayal being a favorite) and Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh (most notably with Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago) on stage and screen in numerous iterations. Any schmuck can throw together a mashup of two things that have obvious or subtle overlap. The catalog of material using Peter Pan as a jump-off point to go dark is expansive. Referencing The Iceman Cometh's actual content or simply its title (I'm looking at you Mr. Clay) has become a common trope. Clevername Theatre is not any schmuck. The Peter Pan Cometh delicately weaves together both of these familiar stories and their characters into a piece that expertly crafts the source material into a unique piece that can stand alone with or without an expansive knowledge of each work's history. The superb cast is enchanting from the very first line until the very end. O'Neil's The Iceman Cometh is a near-five-hour, multiple-intermission event. I could have watched Alec Berchem's Smee, Isabelle Hopewell's Tinker, Nick Hill's Peter and Thomas Buan's Jas Hook for another four hours. You can visually recognize the characters and the dialogue and scenes are certainly familiar, but Clevername Theatre has created a dark, complex world all its own.   You don't need to see O'Neil's anarchistic shadow to connect to The Peter Pan Cometh. *Okay, one moderate spoiler. In every theatrical production of Peter Pan, after you're invested in the story, they bring up the house lights to clap for Tinker Bell. Typically, it's a cringy, uncomfortable turn that ruins any dramatic momentum; I've sat through this in numerous high school gyms and theaters. The "If you believe, clap your hands" scene in The Peter Pan Cometh is the most excruciating I've witnessed. Nevertheless, that gut-wrenching demand for mandatory participation created one of the most memorable moments I've ever had in a theater. 

Perfect mix of light and dark

I might be ruined for the rest of the Fringe. This company has been a fringe favorite over the years, and personally one of the best works they have produced. As a start to fringe I was blown away. Dark themes wrapped in some sarcastic humor. Do we lose our childlike wonder as we stop dreaming. The cast, direction and script were perfect. Kudos.

Another Script But We Do Our Thing!

Maybe I don't understand, maybe it's not for me, but I don't see taking a script, writing in new themes, and advertising it as a new work doing anything refreshing. The Virginia one was the best attempt at this. Some fun moments, you will probably laugh, but again, it's a script that already exists.

Do your pre-reading first!!

Unlike other reviewers, I wasn't familiar with The Iceman Cometh and "Peter & Wendy" was too far back in my memory to be accessible during the play. None-the-less, we enjoyed it ALOT - especially Alec and Nick's over-the-top acting. I did read short summaries of both source materials this morning and enjoyed clevername theater's performance even more!

Dark, Gritty, Funny, Entertaining

I luckily caught their "Mother Courage/Care Bear" mash up, and I hope they bring back the "Winnie-the-Pooh/Edward Albee" show, as I missed that one. This theater company doesn't just choose two random things and throw them together. They do deep dives into dark plays, find the essential strands/events of the play, then combine them with an appropriate (or one might say inappropriate) children's cartoon which will both horrify and glorify the mood of the play. This was so good and entertaining!

A brilliant fusion

After seeing this, Peter Pan as O'Neill's Hickey seemed not only fitting but (tragically) inevitable. This is just brilliant -- the script, the performances and, of course, the concept. It's sad, and it should be. It's sad when we lose touch with a dream (e.g.,Tinker Bell) so completely, we can't even remember it existed. It's sad when we are shaken out of delusions that provided us comfort, however false. This fusion is not just a theatrical gimmick , it's fully realized. Very special.

Well Delivered Insight

Thoroughly enjoyed this show. Solid acting and interesting script

To grow up, or not to grow up?

Loved the dark and funny blend of the classic tale and play (and not being familiar with The Iceman Cometh did not take away from enjoying the show). It balanced poignant questions about growing up with plenty of uppers and downers that kept me enthralled for a great first hour of Fringe.

5 star entertainment!

From beginning to end this entertaining play had me! The cast is phenomenal with the actors chosen perfectly 👌 I highly recommend seeing The Peter Pan Cometh!

SO GOOD

Growing up watching Peter Pan, I kinda knew the base storyline and I assumed (wrong of me, I know) that the idea in my head was going to be played out in real life! How cool. But man oh man was I wrong and I’m so glad I was. What the cast members and everyone behind the scenes created in front of my eyes was magic. The amount of drama, the dark humor, wicked body language that speaks louder than their lines, and honestly a little bit of relatability in terms of “growing up”. Such a good show and such a phenomenal job to all artists involved.

Dark Humor at it Finest

What happens to the characters that fueled our childlike wonder after our fantasies have been replaced with "grown up" responsibilities? Find out when you check out this thoughtful, funny and dark production!

Fantastic open to the Fringe!!

This show is a definite must see. This show blends the essence of the stories of Peter Pan and The Iceman Cometh. It is cleverly written with a perfect balance of serious intensity and whimsical imagination. The cast does not disappoint. Strong performances by all. Well done all!

Brilliant!

Only worthwhile interpretation of Iceman Cometh, including O'Neill's. As always with Clevername, they masterfully addressed the themes in both texts while being very funny.

Every aspect of this show was stunning

I was so impressed by The Peter Pan Cometh. It was my first time experiencing a Clevername Theatre production, and I was impressed with every aspect. The writing was phenomenal, the directing was exacting, and the acting was stellar. Even if you are not familiar with The Iceman Cometh, you will enjoy the show.

Made me giggle

This show was a fun follow up to the well loved story :) Some of the lines got lost in the characters but overall an interesting story with some great characterization. The screams of pain and sound fx of various deaths/injuries were very convincing, I was thoroughly cringing (in a good way) . It had the Zazz

Brilliant!

An unexpectedly compelling premise. Impeccably acted, melding perfectly executed physical comedy with rich and snappy dialogue! A fantastic choice for my first Fringe of the season! Don’t miss this one!

Well done

This show was well done. I don't know The Iceman Commeth, but I still enjoyed it. Without knowledge of that play or the real story of Peter Man (not just the Disney Movie) you may be a bit lost. Very well acted and I WANT THOSE SHOES!

Darkly Comic Take on Neverland's Ne'er-do-wells

What a great way to kick off the Fringe. What this strong ensemble cast has done with these familiar childhood characters is brilliant, hypnotic, and tragic all at once. The way Peter regards Tink is heartbreaking. The physical pratfalls that Smee endures are impressive, and hearing Hook channel a rum-soaked Rip Torn is rich and convincing. The dialogue is smart. The timing and use of the stage space is top-notch, and the intertwining of the plot lines is finely crafted. Loved it. I had not read The Iceman Cometh before, but I did read a quick summary before the show, and that was all I needed to get the gist of Peter's return and where he was guiding the rest of the cast. If you like your humor on the dark side, pull up a chair already. Best wishes to the cast as they continue their tour.

I am glad I saw it!

Never a dull moment in this existential romp featuring the despondent echoes of beloved story-time characters. It truly delivers what its name foreshadows, eloquently threading Eugene O'Neill's nihilism into J.M. Barrie's literature, while sprinkling in a healthy dusting of humor! Well written, well designed, and well performed, this was a fabulous start to the MN Fringe!

The Peter Pan Brings the Business

If you have any sense, you will snort some dust and fly over to Theater in the Round to see Clevername's "The Peter Pan Cometh". The third entry in the company's daunting trilogy hybridizing childhood characters and literary titans, this play continues to ruminate on themes far grander than their small playing spaces. This merger of Barrie and O'Neill leaves the audience breathless in both its humor and horror, and unflinchingly forces the audience to confront the reality none can resist: growing up and watching our dreams die. In heelies. See the show.

Not A Nursery Yarn

This is an "after" story told by some of the Peter Pan characters. Life is not a great adventure in today's Neverland. In fact, burnout is the new reality. Until Peter returns and seems to sell a new reality. But is he full of it or delusional? Show has a serious tone at times that will make some uncomfortable but it has a finished feel in like many Fringe shows. Cast performed well in a round venue.

Another great mashup

Maybe “Death of a Peter Pan?”

There were some cool moments, the ticking clock throughout added a nice paranoia and all the performers brought terrific intensity. I don’t think this was as harmonious of a mash-up as Virginia Woolfe/Winnie the Pooh, one property overwhelmed the other. Still really enjoyed the acting, would’ve almost preferred a more traditional Peter Pan play because Hook, Smee, Tink, and Pan were all portrayed so well.

See this show!

I enjoyed this show so much! There were many humorous, and also dramatic moments that kept me interested the whole time, I didn’t want it to end. I loved the wheellliiieeesssss!!!

A Must See!

This show gripped me for the full hour. Loved it! Such a perfect blend of depth and humor. Excellent job to the cast & crew!

A true nod to O’Neill’s intensity. But so funny!

​Nobody is better at getting into the dark recesses of an audience's mind than Eugene O'Neill. Well, except for Peter Pan of course. And when the two walk into a bar? This is absolutely what you get. This is solid production work all around. Tight outstanding performances, brilliant script, flawless costumes and sound, and just the right mix of wishes and whimsy to keep us laughing. And who doesn't enjoy laughing at cherished childhood characters having to face a little reality? This is a fun must see production!

A Mesmerizing Fever Dream

Thoroughly grounded in both of its source materials, The Peter Pan Cometh serves as a stark reminder that no amount of delusion, despair, deflection, or pixie dust can keep time and consequence from catching up to us. If you can only go to one show this year, the choice is clear: follow the second star on the right and straight on till morning!

You will be stack in Neverland for an hour

There is no way out. Lots of questions were left unanswered. But figures were entertaining and flexible.

I Cameth I Saweth I Enjoyedeth

All actors in this show are incredible, the story is really wacky and interesting (made me want to snort some pixie dust), and overall I enjoyed the dark yet humorous place this show took me to because it was so unique and well crafted. Big shout out to the writer of the play also because by the end I felt I had a real relationship with the heely wearing, all grown up Peter Pan telling me my dreams had to be destroyed.