Peter Pan and Wendy
A new musical in 5 scenes
From the book by James M. Barrie
Adapted and with New Music by Eric Stedman
and additional melodies by Beatrice Alderman, Dorian Welch,
Marie Louka, and Claude Debussy
About the Play
Who is unfamiliar with the story of Peter Pan? This is the classic tale about the Darling children of Bloomsbury, England, and their fantasies of growing up -- embodied by a magical flying boy called Peter Pan who comes from with faeries, natives, lost boys who refuse to grow up, pirates and mermaids in a place somewhere across the sky called Never Land. This play is based on the author's own version of the story, presented in a new compact edition designed for ease of performance for all groups, with new songs, and streamlined to eliminate difficult or dated aspects of the original and other existing musical versions.
It's short and sweet! A charming, very lively, compact stage version of the beloved story, this show runs under an hour and a half and is just right for large performing groups and younger actors.
Staging is simple -- Functional set pieces needed are two small beds, a window box, a large rock, a rowboat on casters, and a ship's rail and plank. A dry ice machine is suggested to create a misty water effect for the scene at Mermaid Lagoon (kids and audiences love the effect!) Flying may be suggested by a small trampoline hidden behind a bed and a mirror ball effect. A follow spot is suggested for the first appearance of Tinker Bell and one number in which Peter throws shadows on the wall. And since no flying equipment is necessary, Peter may be played by a boy.
Songs are simple too and intended to be easily playable and singable by any company or school group.
It's female actor-friendly! Those wishing to include more female actors in the presentation can cast them as Mermaids and Faeries, both of which are featured in scenes not usually included in other stage versions of the story. There are only a few Natives in this version of the story so the problem of finding males to cast them in addition to the pirates and lost boys has been eliminated. After the first scene, Tinker Bell may also be played by a real live girl.
It's First-Nation-friendly! In addition to including all the familiar elements which have made this story into a modern classic, this show has also made an effort to get in synch with present-day sensibilities in its presentation of fantasy-historical Native-style characters and includes a new friend for Peter in the cast called Little Panther who speaks and acts on behalf of the Never Land tribe and fights as an equal, not a subordinate, alongside Peter against Captain Hook and the pirates. The word "Indians" is never used in the show, so the Never Land Tribe can and should be not a group of Native American stereotypes but instead a fantasy-people of your own invention.
It's hearing-impaired friendly! Tiger Lily, in this version of the story, does not speak and signs her lines, so may be played by a cast member who can perform in actual sign language
An easy and fun show to put together, and not too long, either -- one of those rare productions which is short but also suitable for a large and colorful cast!
CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW TO HEAR A 12 MINUTE MEDLEY
OF SONGS FROM PETER PAN AND WENDY
SCENES AND MUSICAL NUMBERS
The musical is scored for a piano and keyboard (or two keyboards)
with additional glockenspiel and drum.
Scene I: The Darling Nursery
1. INTRODUCTION
2. I WANT TO BE A PIRATE -- John with Wendy and Michael
3. I GOT MY SHADOW – Peter Pan and Wendy
4. COME FLY AWAY -- Wendy and Company
5. LITTLE LOST BOYS -- Lost Boys
6. BLOW, WINDS, BLOW! -- Captain Hook and the Pirates
7. WE’LL MAKE OUR HOUSE A HOME -- Lost Boys and Peter
Scene III: Mermaid Lagoon / Never Land Forest at night
8. SONG OF THE MERMAIDS / DEAD MAN'S ROCK -- Mermaids
9. A WISE MAN MAKES A FRIEND -- Tiger Lily, Little Panther, Big Hawk, Michael and John
10. FAERY DANCE -- Faeries
11. LITTLE BOY -- Wendy
12. DREAMLAND LULLABY -- Wendy and Mrs. Darling
Scene V: On Board the Jolly Roger
13. DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP -- John and Company
14. IF YOU BELIEVE -- Peter Pan
Epilogue: The Darling Nursery
15. DREAMLAND LULLABY Reprise -- Wendy and Mrs. Darling
15b. PETER SAYS GOODBYE
16. Curtain Call: AWAY TO NEVER LAND Reprise -- Company
DOWNLOAD
PERUSAL SCRIPT PDF FILE
Password = "believe"
(Click the link above with your right mouse button and select Save Link As to save the PDF file to your drive)
PURCHASE PRINTED MUSICAL SCORE
DOWNLOAD SAMPLE SONG PDF FILE
"Little Boy"
(Click the link above with your right mouse button and select Save Link As to save the PDF file to your drive)
PRODUCE THIS SHOW!
DONATIONS FOR CHILDREN'S CHARITIES
NOTE: Though PETER PAN AND WENDY is now out of copyright in most countries, the author James Barrie's intention was that proceeds from the play to benefit children in need and this should be remembered.
US: THE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
US producers are encouraged to donate a portion of your income from the show to the Native American Heritage Association which benefits First Nation children in need of food. If your box office takes in a profit, share some with them and tell them Little Panther sent you!
UK: GREAT ORMOND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
If you live in the UK it is requested that a donation from the proceeds you take in from production of this show should be made to the Great Ormond Children's Hospital in London as was Mr. James M. Barrie's wish.
If you live elsewhere and your production of PETER PAN AND WENDY makes a profit, consider making a donation to a children's hospital in your area to help "lost" boys and girls near you, so that they might grow up to be as healthy and happy as the children who visit Never Land.
For set and costume ideas we recommend the 2003 PETER PAN
film which also to a large degree follows Barrie's original script and features wonderful costume and scene design.
Notable also here is that Peter, Wendy, the Lost Boys and Tiger Lily are portrayed by children as originally intended.