Peter Pan?

Question

Should the character be played by a girl, or a very young boy? Broadway cast a girl.... I've sung pretty much the whole part(mezzo sop/alto).... I'm helping with a production of it next spring, but the directors and I aren't quite sure yet how to cast the role....

Yes, in the movies Peter is a male character. He's played by a female in most stage productions because his voice is immature and high, and most boy actors aren't ready for that kind of a role yet. I think the character is like, twelve or something like that.... Don't quote me on that age though.

Answer 1

Peter Pan should be played by a girl. I just finished doing the show in California. I was Peter Pan along with another girl and one guy. The younger boy struggled the most. Even if the guys can sing it they tend to lose focus. Peter Pan is a little boy who is magical and watching our guy you lost that whole magical part. He was a great actor too. He was just too young to connect with the part.

Answer 2

When James Barrie wrote the play of Peter Pan (which he wrote before the books), he insisted that Peter be played by a young woman, rather than a child of either gender.
Peter's role is a pivotal one, which calls for subtlety, grace and impressive acting skills. yet the ability to sound like the boy who never grew up. In movies, it's easier to cast a boy as Peter, but on stage, a young woman is always the best choice.

Answer 3

I agree with you. It is much easier for a girl to sing the part and that is the traditional way to do it. But, if you can find a young male with a strong, high voice-go for it. I'm thirteen almost fourteen, and I recently played Peter and it was fairly difficult to master some of the notes for my voice changed. But, in my opinion, a girl would be the better choice for Peter Pan.

Answer 4

I saw a Broadway presentation of Peter Pan when I was a little girl and to this day it has always bothered me that a girl played the part. Funny, huh? Definitely use a young boy. It confuses the audience when a girl plays the part.

Answer 5

the best one should win. this may cause a headache, but years ago I acted in a production of the littest angel. the lead role was to be a child. what the director did was to alternate the role between a male and a female...but as I said, that could be a headache. it worked for us. and I also remember one time where they double casted the children in the sound of music, except for lisel's part.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I think traditionally it's played by a woman because, as you say yourself, a 12-year-old boy couldn't do it. I don't think a young boy's voice would have the range. An older boy's voice would have changed. (Too bad we don't have castratos any more!)

I remember Mary Martin's performance very well. I saw her on B&W TV when I was a kid and even then I realized she was a woman. 8^)

Answer 8

It could be played by either, but really it fits better with a girl, vis-a-vis vocals, and all that. My suggestion would be to audition both genders, just to see who in particular can fit the part best.

Answer 9

I would hold auditions for both and cast the person who you best see completing your vision.

Answer 10

I guess it could be played by both. But if it's played by a girl make sure she has short hair or maybe a short haired wig.