Performance of Children's Literature Spring 2025

Back to Peter

Explore – Books for Young Children

1907

2020

cover for "1,2,3 in Neverland" with Peter and the Darlings flying over a landscape

Think more about Tiger Lily

Watch: That Musical and Tiger Lily

There are three videos in this playlist. The first is from the 1960 live telecast. The second is from a televised version of the play in 2000 and the last is a recording of the song in question, “Ugg-a-Wugg” as redone with slightly different lyrics (and with controversy) for Peter Pan Live! on NBC in 2014.

Consider what the movement in the first two, paired with the lyrics of the song seem to convey to an audience.

In communities around the country people continue to do the musical. At community theatres, many kids get to be involved as Lost Boys or Indians.

Optional – Read what the actor cast as Tiger Lily had to say of the 2014 televised production. (outside link)

Watch and Explore: Peter Pan’s of the 21st Century

On Film and TV

Includes trailers or clips from:

On Stage

Includes trailers or clips from:

  • Peter and Wendy, Mabou Mines, performed periodically between 1996-2011.
  • Peter Pan in Kensington Garden, Three Sixty Entertainment, performed on-site in Kensington Garden, London in 2009.
  • Peter and the Starcatcher, Broadway, 2012.
    • A prequel based on the book by Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson.
  • Wendy & Peter Pan, Royal Shakespeare Company (UK), 2013, clip from 2019
  • Peter Pan, The Washington Ballet, 2014.
  • “Pan Pan Baby” music video for Peter Pan, The Musical at the Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis) in 2015.
  • Finding Neverland, performance clip from the Tony Awards, 2015. Based on the film.
  • Peter Pan Goes Wrong Mischief Theatre, UK, original trailer for 2016. Televised for the BBC in
  • Peter Pan at the National Theatre (of the United Kingdom) in 2017
    • This complete production is watchable through the Brooklyn College Library’s Alexander Street database.
  • For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday, Playwright’s Horizon (New York City), 2017.
    • The story of Peter Pan is used to tell a story of aging and the loss of a parent.
  • Peter Pan, a Musical Adventure at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in 2018.
  • Peter Pan and Wendy at the Shakespeare Theatre Company (Washington, DC) in 2019.
  • Peter Pan the Arena Adventure (with Boy George) from the World’s Biggest Productions/Jon Conway Productions, UK. 2023.
  • Peter Pan, The Gate Theatre, Dublin, Ireland in 2023.
    • This production swapped the double casting of Mr. Darling and Hook, to Mrs. Darling and Hook.
  • Wendy and Peter Pan

Peter Right Now. Tiger Lily Right Now.

In the last module, I gave you a link to a recent stage production, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, originally presented in the United Kingdom. When the show came to Broadway last summer, the scene in which Tiger Lily is rescued by Peter Pan was redone for the United States, eliminating Tiger Lily and replacing a rescue of a Lost Boy.

Rethinking the original 1954 musical

A newly updated version of the musical has been adapted by the Native American playwright, Larissa Fasthorse (the first Native American to have a play on Broadway, The Thanksgiving Play) and is currently touring in the United States with some expectation of a Broadway run.

Hear from the actor playing Tiger Lily

Optional: Read reviews from The Washington Post and The Chicago Tribune.

Disney’s latest Peter Pan & Wendy, 2023

Explore the new film’s Tiger Lily

Watch and Read

Read more about this casting:

Blair, Elizabeth. “Peter Pan still hasn’t grown up, but Tiger Lily has changed.” NPR. May 9, 2023.

Lang, Cady. “How a New Peter Pan Adaptation Confronts Its Racist Origins.” Time. April 28, 2023.

What do you think of these various efforts to revisit and reconsider Peter Pan for today? Do you think that they are effective? A good idea? A

bad idea? Do they ‘fix’ a problem or hide it? Should Peter Pan still have the prominence as a character and story that it does? Would you share the original text(s) or musical, or Disney film of Peter Pan today? If so, in what context?

Go Back
End Module with vocal exercises

19 responses to “Back to Peter”

  1. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    I think revisiting and reconsidering Peter Pan for today is a good idea because it allows us to look at the story with a fresh perspective and address any outdated or problematic themes. Some efforts might be effective in making the story more inclusive and relevant, while others might feel like they are simply hiding issues instead of truly fixing them. Peter Pan is a classic story with important themes about childhood and adventure, so it makes sense that it still has a strong presence. However, I would share the original text, musical, or Disney film with context, discussing the time it was created and how views have changed.

    Reply
  2. Denise Warren Avatar
    Denise Warren

    Yes! revisiting the Peter Pan story can be very beneficial, as we can dive deeper into discussions about a child’s perspectives on childhood- the joys of it, and challenges that children face, especially in an adult world, and with limited agency. Exploring the topic of growing up, societal expectations of children, especially when it comes to self-expression, gender roles, and play. Revisiting the Peter Pan story to include a more diverse cast would also be valuable, as it would signal to many children from diverse backgrounds that they too can be represented in their favorite show, which would help to enhance their self-esteem. I would share the original text, musical, or Disney film of Peter Pan today- if only to use it as a teachable moment for children about their identities as it pertains to age, race, culture, their autonomy and play, adults expectations, etc.

    Reply
  3. Aleksandra Grala Avatar
    Aleksandra Grala

    I think the new versions of Peter Pan are a good idea and show that people are trying to fix past mistakes, especially with how Native characters like Tiger Lily were shown. Some updates, like casting Native actors and giving Tiger Lily more depth, feel like a step forward. But just changing a few things doesn’t totally erase the problems in the original stories. I don’t think we should cancel Peter Pan, but we should be honest about its history. If I shared the original movie or book, I’d only do it with a conversation about the racism and stereotypes in it. That way, it becomes a chance to learn, not just entertainment.

    Reply
  4. Jada Williams Avatar
    Jada Williams

    I think that various versions of Peter Pan are important as time is constantly evolving. With traditional popular movies and cartoons we should keep adjusting them to adapt to the new audience. The films should be versions that are within that generation so they don’t seem too old or un-relatable and don’t seem irrelevant to remember. I think also as time changes and there are advancements in technology and the usage of material the creativity expands and there are better versions than others in quality. The characters and actors will be able to better develop. Personally I did not have any interest in Peter Pan, but I do believe from the message that it shares about getting older and remaining youthful or keeping the aspect of childhood is good. I would share the Disney version of Peter Pan.

    Reply
  5. Calista Spezio Avatar
    Calista Spezio

    I really don’t think it’s a bad idea to revisit Peter pans story today. I feel like these more updated versions do address many of the offensive and outdated parts of Peter Pan. They are almost working to fix there original mistakes. They want Peter Pan to be known as a respectful and respectable fairy tail. I would like to share the original text but only for my students if I was a teacher or something. Those lessons are import to educate our youth on.

    Reply
  6. Kajol Victoria Singh Avatar
    Kajol Victoria Singh

    Introducing new views and showings of

    Reply
    1. Kajol Victoria Singh Avatar
      Kajol Victoria Singh

      ^ Introducing new views and showcasings of Peter Pan can be of help when it comes to changing certain ideas portrayed in the movies/writings of the past. For example, a more respectful view of Native American people. When groups of people are portrayed wrongly or mocked, it can cause others to hold stereotypes about them that are actually wrong.

      Reply
  7. Isabel Belasoto Avatar
    Isabel Belasoto

    I think that the retelling of stories will always be alive no matter what generation we are in, it is something that is embedded into many different cultures. I think going forward we should include appropriate cultural contexts, a lot of these stories try to shy away from these ideas, but these are the ways to reach more diverse audiences and impose inclusivity. By telling the story in a more culturally accurate light we are able to tell more new perspectives.

    Reply
  8. Synphanie Mojica Avatar
    Synphanie Mojica

    I think that these new Peter Pan movies are effective at giving a fairer representation of all of the characters. I do think that Peter Pan should continue to be prominent because each generation has their own conception and image of Peter Pan, and there are multiple themes that are relatable to childhood in it. I think that it would be beneficial to address some of the problematic aspects to Peter Pan, such as Tiger’s Lily’s original dance, and provide historical and cultural context to the story and characters. I would share the original book of Peter Pan and address the problems in it, but I think I would choose a more modern movie or play to share, because there are many updated versions that seem less derogatory and might be more appealing and relevant today.

    Reply
  9. Aliviya Iskhakova Avatar
    Aliviya Iskhakova

    I think it is absolutely a good idea to revisit outdated media and improve upon it for future generations to not grow up with harmful depictions of certain groups of people. For instance, every version of Peter Pan since Disney’s version has either tried to replace Tiger Lily’s character or make her character a warrior rather than the original caricature of a stereotypical Native American. It is definitely better to depict the character is a more positive light rather than omit her from the story completely because she deserves her story to be told in the right way. Peter Pan should still have the prominence in media as it does right now because it is a classic fairy tale that various generations have grew up with. Rather than throwing out the core material, we should just improve upon it as it is a piece of our history. I would share the Disney film as it is a classic but I would definitely include a disclaimer about the harmful stereotyping of Native Americans.

    Reply
  10. Layla Ettu Avatar
    Layla Ettu

    I think revisiting Peter Pan today has allowed the Director/authors to present the story in a different version. I do think that it allows us viewers to look at the story with a new perspective. With changing the story throughout the years it allows writers to change pieces of the story that had very controversial moments. I would share the original Disney film and look at how time have changed from when the movie came out in 1953 versus now in 2025.

    Reply
    1. Leslie Talavera Avatar
      Leslie Talavera

      as you mentioned not just that but it also gives us a better understanding of peter pan and can change the opinions of people that perhaps before they didnt enjoy it as much

      Reply
  11. Sophia Awad Avatar
    Sophia Awad

    I believe the various means to revisit and reconsider Peter Pan for today are truly needed in order to dismantle the historical racial hierarchy that has contaminated much of our media. I believe this is a good idea, as looking at the instance of Disney’s latest Peter Pan & Wendy, 2023, we see many of the previously racialized concepts settled or at least tweaked. By this, I am specifically referring to the new casting of an indigenous actress as Tiger Lily. This choice allows for transparency and accurate representation of the role, steering clear of stereotypical portrayals, as it is now coming from an individual who is aware of the cultural and racial significance of her role. I believe, in this respect, they have fixed this problem of inaccurate representation of the indigenous culture. I believe there is nothing wrong with Peter Pan having the prominence as a character and story that it does but it should incorporate some updated aspects, just as this film did with more considerate casting. For this reason I would share the older animated Disney movie of the story as well as this newer version. This would be done in the context of showcasing the story light but highlighting the crucial changes and decisions that ultimately improve the portrayal of the story and allow it to become a better version, steered away from historically racial influences.

    Reply
  12. Salma Avatar
    Salma

    Revisiting Peter Pan is a good idea because it helps fix old stereotypes, especially with characters like Tiger Lily. In newer versions, they’ve cast Indigenous actors and made Tiger Lily a stronger character, which is better than the old version. But just changing a few things doesn’t fix everything wrong with the story.

    Reply
  13. Shania Smith Avatar
    Shania Smith

    I think its a good idea because society is always changing and a lot of things that were accepted then aren’t accepted now. Why not try to fix something that’s broken? Animators do not have to change the entire movie; just change some parts that children won’t question as they get older.

    Reply
  14. Amy Merino Avatar
    Amy Merino

    I think revisiting the story for children is innocent but I like how the changes are being made to fix the mistakes of the past and make them more accurate versus based on stereotypes.

    Reply
  15. D'Ella Brown Avatar
    D’Ella Brown

    I think that it is totally ok to fix something that may have been insensitive in the past, we do it all the time. The new versions of Peter Pan are ways to fix what it was in the past, show the story to the next generation and preserve the story.

    Reply
  16. Malissa Solon Avatar
    Malissa Solon

    I appreciate that they are being mindful in revisiting Peter Pan to ensure that they are sending a positive message to young people.This to me shows that some progress in media and what they are putting out into the world has been made.

    Reply
  17. chadeary park Avatar
    chadeary park

    I think these efforts to revisit Peter Pan are important and needed. They help fix parts of the story that were harmful, especially the way Tiger Lily and Native culture were shown. I think it’s a good idea to update the story while still talking about the original version. We can’t erase the past but we can learn from it. I would share the older and newer versions together to start conversations about how stories change over time.

    Reply

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