Prelude, Fugue & Riffs: Spring/Summer 2009

Leonard Bernstein's Peter Pan Flies Again in Santa Barbara

I was not a director in 1950. I didn't even know what directors do, when I was five. But ever since then I've known that the Peter Pan I saw on Broadway that year was better than any that came afterwards. In 2007, I thought I might have a hard time explaining this to potential donors for our nonprofit, Equity theatre. However, when I pitched Peter Pan with music by Leonard Bernstein, people listened, and many joined us as honorary producers. Thanks to them and to Alexander Frey, who recorded the 2005 Koch Classic CD of the work, SBT: The Santa Barbara Theatre produced the first production of Leonard Bernstein's complete music for Peter Pan in December 2008. I directed and my wife and business partner, Ellen Pasternack, produced.

As Ellen and I watched the young people in the audience sitting on the edge of their seats, we could tell that the show still casts its magic spell. Parents were awestruck seeing their TV addicted kids caught up in a live theater production. How retro! And how wonderful that an old fashioned play with music, a hit over half a century ago, still enthralls young and old today.

It's not easy explaining this to someone who wasn't there. Fortunately, Mark Swed of the Los Angeles Times came to the opening and gave SBT's production a stellar review. For all those who missed this Bernstein gem in 1950 or 2008, we are remounting Peter Pan this December at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara. Call SBT at 805-963-7282 for tickets.