Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan and the cast of the national touring company coming to the Adrienne Arsht Center from Tuesday, May 7 through Sunday, May 12. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
Raye Zaragoza has always harbored mixed feelings about the Tiger Lily character in “Peter Pan.” On one hand, she loves that Tiger Lily is a Native American girl. However, Zaragoza has also felt misrepresented by the character’s original portrayal.
But with changes made to the stage musical version of “Peter Pan,” Zaragoza, who is of Japanese, Mexican and Native American (Akimel O'otham) heritage, is proud of who Tiger Lily has become.
“Peter Pan,” the classic Broadway musical, is returning to life in a newly-imagined production directed by Emmy Award Winner Lonny Price, with additional book material by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse, and choreography by Lorin Latarro.
The re-imagined musical is on a national, non-equity tour, and will play Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County opening Tuesday, May 7 through Sunday, May 12. And Zaragoza, a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and political folk music performer, is an integral part of the production; she portrays Tiger Lily.
Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan and Hawa Kamara as Wendy in the touring production of "Peter Pan" in the number "I Gotta Crow. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
“It feels like an incredible honor and responsibility,” says the performer. “(Lily) is such a powerful and strong girl and I just want to do her justice. I’m so touched that Larissa FastHorse and Lonny Price have put their trust in me. Re-creating a classic character with some much needed and exciting updates is a dream come true. I’m so overjoyed to get to be the new Tiger Lily.”
FastHorse, the first Native American woman to have a play on Broadway (“The Thanksgiving Play,” which had a run locally at GableStage in Coral Gables) assures audiences that while this production features changes, people will still experience the same “Peter Pan” that they have always known and loved.
For those new to the story, the adventure begins when the Peter Pan and his mischievous sidekick, Tinker Bell, visit the bedroom of the Darling children one night. With a sprinkle of fairy dust and a few happy thoughts, the boy who never wants to grow up takes the Darling children on a magical journey to Neverland.
Based on Sir James M. Barrie’s classic tale and originally directed, choreographed, and adapted by Broadway legend Jerome Robbins, the show includes an score by Morris (Moose Charlap, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, additional lyrics by Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Amanda Green, and additional music by Jule Styne.
“I am thrilled to be a part of bringing ‘Peter Pan’ to life for a new generation,” says FastHorse in a prepared press release. “If you loved this musical before, you will still see the show that enchanted you, while discovering a ‘Peter Pan’ that everyone can enjoy, without harm, for many years to come.”
Cody Garcia as Captain Hook and the cast of "Peter Pan" in the scene "Hook's Tarantella." (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
Zaragoza says she loves the changes that FastHorse has made to the libretto.
“I love that the tribe is now people from all over the world protecting their ancient cultures,” she says. “It’s made our tribe incredibly diverse. I also just love how Tiger Lily is so empowered and strong now and truly is an essential role in taking down the bad guys.”
More specifically, Tiger Lily and her tribe represent different extinct cultures from around the world. They all have come to Neverland to save their culture.
While she has retained Tiger Lily, the playwright has gotten rid of many indigenous characters and assured in an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune that . . . you won’t notice their absence,” assures FastHorse.
In addition to the exclusion of those characters, this new production of “Peter Pan” features other changes. They include the deletion of the song “Ugg-a-Wugg,” which was found offensive because of its gibberish lyrics written to mimic the sound of indigenous people.
Also, the show now lasts for two acts instead of the original three. With the change, the musical’s running time (originally three hours with two intermissions) is significantly shorter. Now it clocks in at 2 hours and 20 minutes with one intermission.
Other changes included emboldening the show’s female characters, adding new lyrics, including a new song, “Friends Forever,” and casting Nolan Almeida, a 17-year-old male actor, as Peter Pan rather than the using adult female actors Mary Martin, Sandy Duncan, and Cathy Rigby portrayed the title character.
Zaragoza says when she saw the musical on Broadway as a child, Rigby portrayed Peter. Also, Zaragoza saw the “Peter Pan” movies.
But this production will mark Zaragoza’s first time appearing in “Peter Pan.”
From left, Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan, Cody Garcia as Captain Hook, Hawa Kamara as Wendy and the cast of "Peter Pan." (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
“‘Peter Pan’ is a classic beautiful story about the wonder and imagination of childhood,” she says. “It’s so beloved and it’s very exciting that our production brings some much-needed updates to the original story. Although ‘Peter Pan’ is such a classic and wonderful tale, it was also harmful in the way it portrayed the indigenous characters. Larissa FastHorse did such an amazing job changing this and making the indigenous characters authentic, truthful, and diverse.”
Zaragoza says she can relate to Tiger Lilly’s quest to want to keep up with the boys and the character’s feeling under appreciated by them. “As a singer-songwriter in the male-dominated music industry, I can definitely relate,” says Zaragoza. You can find more information about Zaragoza on her website, at www.rayezaragoza.com.
She has been performing since age 4.
“It’s really the only life I know,” says Zaragoza. “I feel more at home on stage than anywhere else, honestly. Performing is my safe space. I like to write about the things that affect me and that bring me joy, or pain. I feel like if I write to heal myself, I must heal others too – hopefully.”
Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan, Kenny Ramos as Acoma, Raye Zaragoza as Tiger Lily and the cast of "Peter Pan." (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
Zaragoza says she hopes that her audiences “feel inspired and feel seen – especially young girls of color. I hope they look at Tiger Lily and know they can do anything they set their minds to.”
In addition to Zaragoza as Tiger Lily and Almeida as the titular character, the national tour’s cast includes Cody Garcia as Captain Hook, Shefali Deshpande as Mrs. Darling, Kurt Perry as Smee, William Foon and Micha Turner Lee alternating as John Darling, as well as Reed Epley and Camden Kwok alternating as Michael Darling.
The ensemble includes Charles Antenen, Jonah Barricklo, Christina Helene Braa, Jordan T. DeLeon, Brandon Gille, Ryan Perry Marks, Michael Marrero, Kenny Ramos, Hannah Schmidt, Kiara Williams, Tony Collins, Bailey Frankenberg, Leo Gallegos, and Cheyenne Omani.
Raye Zaragoza is a singer-songwriter and social activist who has joined the national touring company of "Peter Pan" playing Tiger Lily. She is of Japanese, Mexican and Native American (Akimel O'otham) heritage. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
IF YOU GO
WHAT: A national touring production of a re-imagined version of the Broadway musical “Peter Pan.”
WHEN: May 7-12. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, as well as 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. RUN TIME: Two hours and 20 minutes, including one intermission.
TICKETS: $25-$140. Go to www.arshtcenter.org.
RELATED EVENT: Family nights on Tuesday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 8 feature a “This Way to Neverland” pre-show experience starting at 6:15 p.m. Grab a treasure map and set sail on an adventure to Neverland. Along the way, you can explore themed stations and create dazzling crafts as you fly through Fairy Hollow, Pirates Cove, and Crocodile Creek. Free with a ticket to the May 7 or 8 performance of “Peter Pan.”
