Peter Pan on Stage and Screen, 1904–2010, 2d ed.

Recounting the more than century-long stage and screen history of J.M. Barrie’s play Peter Pan, Bruce K. Hanson updates and expands his 1993 volume on “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.” Hanson traces the origin of Barrie’s tale through the first London production in 1904, to various British and American theatrical and film productions up to and including the stage versions of 2010.
Included are excerpts of interviews with actresses Dinah Sheridan, Mary Martin and Sandy Duncan, all of whom portrayed Peter Pan on stage, and Betty Comden and Adolph Green, lyricists for the 1954 Broadway musical. The book features a wealth of rare photos, posters, programs and costume designs. An appendix lists virtually every actor who has performed a featured role in a London, Broadway or Hollywood production of Peter Pan from 1904 to the present.

A theatre instructor and a National Board Certified teacher of Visual Arts, Bruce K. Hanson has written books, plays, articles and CD liner notes. He lives in Petersburg, Virginia.

Bruce K. Hanson
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 417
Bibliographic Info: 352 photos (14 in color), discography, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4778-7
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8619-9
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      ix

Foreword by Stewart Stern      1

Introduction      5

1. James Barrie: The Man Who Wouldn’t Grow Up      9

2. Nina Boucicault and the First Peter Pan      24

3. Maude Adams: Peter Pan Lands in America      52

4. Cecilia Loftus and the Mermaids      74

5. Vivian Martin and the Unknown Peter Pans      82

6. Pauline Chase and an Afterthought      86

7. Marilyn Miller: The Ziegfeld Treatment      106

8. Betty Bronson: The Silent Treatment      125

9. Jean Forbes-Robertson and Other English Lasses      143

10. Eva Le Gallienne: The Civic Repertory Theatre      166

11. Jean Arthur: A Touch of Bernstein      182

Between pages 200 and 201 are 12 color plates containing 14 photographs

12. The Disney Touch      201

13. Mary Martin: A Musical Peter Pan      210

14. Margaret Lockwood and Toots: A Family Affair      257

15. Mia Farrow and Another Musical      280

16. Sandy Duncan: Back on Broadway      285

17. Cathy Rigby: Peter Pan—A Record Breaker      294

18. A Change of Gender: Peter Pan as a Real Boy      303

Afterword: The Lasting Appeal of Peter Pan      325

Appendix A: A Selected Discography      329

Reviews of the first edition: “it would be impossible to write a book detailing every production of Peter Pan, but Hanson has done the next best thing. He concentrates on the major versions of the story, as play or musical, beginning with the first staging…Hanson is meticulous in giving the background of the actors, not only for this production, but for each subsequent one he discusses in his book, bringing a gallery of forgotten performers back to life…although Hanson’s book makes fascinating reading from start to finish, its final 110-plus pages will probably hold the most interest for musical fans”—Max Preeo, Show Music Magazine; “the triumph of whimsy and magic over the more unseemly aspects of the human condition has ensured the legend’s lasting success. The Peter Pan Chronicles lets readers momentarily recapture these ineffable themes even as they fly through their hands.”—American Theatre; “this is an entertaining and fully researched account of Peter Pan’s long theatrical and cinematic history.”—Publishers Weekly; “I thoroughly enjoyed reading it…it is an astounding example of research and…love.”—Deanna Durbin (former screen actress, singer); “years of diligent labor framed at last between the two hardcovers of this permanent volume that I’m sure will be the definitive statement on this subject for many years to come. The visual material is all wonderful.”—Harvey Schmidt (composer of The Fantasticks, I Do, I Do, etc.); “Thank you for writing the Chronicles. Your book fills in so much even I hadn’t known!”—Stewart Stern (screen writer of Rebel Without A Cause, Rachael, Rachael, etc.); “Very interesting and very well researched…is it coming out in London? If not, why not?”—Barry Norman (curator of The Theatre Musuem in London).