Peter Pan Goes Wrong at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
Written by the British comedy collective Mischief Theatre (Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields), this follow-up to "The Play That Goes Wrong" takes J.M. Barrie's classic tale of the boy who wouldn't grow up and transforms it into a masterclass in precisely choreographed mayhem. The amateur Cornley troupe attempts to mount their most ambitious production yet, but their enthusiasm far outweighs their technical abilities. The result is a gloriously messy theatrical experience where sets collapse, props malfunction, flying sequences go spectacularly awry, and backstage drama spills directly into the performance.What makes this production particularly special is the presence of theatre legend Cathy Rigby, who famously portrayed Peter Pan in over 3,000 performances spanning three decades. Here she serves as the show's narrator, bringing her comedic gifts and meta-theatrical charm to the proceedings. Her involvement adds layers of theatrical history and inside jokes that resonate deeply with audiences, culminating in a curtain call surprise that has theatergoers cheering with delight.
The physical comedy on display is nothing short of remarkable. The cast demonstrates extraordinary skill in making controlled chaos appear spontaneous, from aerial mishaps that defy gravity in all the wrong ways to precisely timed technical failures that build upon each other with escalating hilarity. The ensemble's commitment to the comedy is total, whether they're dealing with doors that won't open, lighting cues that arrive at precisely the wrong moment, or costume malfunctions that threaten to derail the entire production.
Audiences are particularly enjoying the show's layered approach to humor. Beyond the obvious slapstick elements, the production mines comedy from the interpersonal dynamics of the fictional theatre company itself. Romantic tensions between cast members, ego clashes over who should play the lead roles, and the desperate attempts to keep the show moving forward despite mounting disasters all contribute to the rich comedic tapestry. One standout running gag involves an actor receiving his lines through an earpiece, repeating everything he hears with robotic precision, including backstage chatter that was never meant for audience ears.
The technical artistry required to make everything go this spectacularly wrong cannot be overstated. The design team has crafted a production where failure is an art form, with a rotating set that becomes increasingly disheveled, lighting that highlights the comedy at just the right moments, and flying sequences choreographed by Paul Rubin that manage to thrill even as they hilariously malfunction. The precision required to execute controlled chaos night after night is a testament to the skill of everyone involved both onstage and behind the scenes.
Comic performances throughout the ensemble are earning enthusiastic responses. The actor playing Peter Pan brings earnest determination to a role plagued by technical disasters, while the villainous Captain Hook scenery-chews his way through multiple transformations with delicious abandon. The Darling children navigate their roles with a combination of childlike enthusiasm and increasingly desperate attempts to salvage the production. A performer juggling multiple roles including the maid Lisa, Mrs. Darling, and a high-voltage Tinker Bell displays comic timing so sharp it cuts through the chaos with precision. Even the family dog Nana becomes a source of prolonged hilarity when stuck in a doggy door that refuses to cooperate.
The show also cleverly incorporates self-aware humor that acknowledges the very nature of live theatre itself. Fourth wall breaks, audience interaction, and the theatrical convention of "the show must go on" are all mined for comedy, creating a production that celebrates the unpredictable magic of live performance even as it satirizes theatrical pretension. The staged disasters serve as a loving tribute to anyone who has ever been involved in community theatre or experienced the terror and joy of live performance.
For audiences looking for an antidote to the stresses of daily life, "Peter Pan Goes Wrong" delivers exactly what it promises: pure, unadulterated laughter from beginning to end. It's a show that reminds us why we gather together for live theatre in the first place—for the shared experience of joy, the thrill of the unexpected, and the knowledge that no matter how wrong things go, there's always magic in carrying on anyway.
"Peter Pan Goes Wrong" plays at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, through November 23, 2025.