Theatre Review: Peter Pan Goes Wrong

“Peter Pan Goes Wrong” in all the right ways. A grand spectacle bridging old school theatrics with high-flying thrills of laughter, suspense, and wholesome fun. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is undoubtedly the best theater to bring “Peter Pan Goes Wrong.” Not only for its highly quality Broadway style stage productions, but the theater sharing a long time history for the original “Peter Pan” musical back in 1997 as its first national tour show earning Tony nominations.

Its original lead performer, Cathy Rigby, returning to Never Land albeit in a naturally respectful role as “The Narrator”. Not only that, but the 72 year old also plays a pirate and lost boy, scrambling on and off a moving stage. The nimble living legend also navigates a troublesome wooden chair tapping to her experience as a two-time Olympic gymnast, the first American woman to win a medal in world competition. Cathy Rigby last played Peter Pan in the 2013 “farewell” production after 3,000 performances as the boy who never grew up. For theater fans waiting patiently for Cathy Rigby to be involved in “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” at the La Mirada Theatre is quite the understatement and immensely satisfying.

Having missed my chance to see Cathy Rigby in her farewell tour, her magical curtain call gave me enough chilling goosebumps to more than make up for lost time as a musical theater enthusiast. And to learn some set pieces, props, and costumes from the “Peter Pan” Broadway production making appearances in “Peter Goes Wrong” just makes the experience even richer. Could anyone imagine this precious gem on a national tour?

“Peter Pan Goes Wrong” at La Mirada is a must-see, don’t miss event for the ages. Even if you’ve seen this show before, there’s nothing else like it when La Mirada Theatre is involved. There’s plenty of humor for everyone where any and all mishaps could land face first on the stage in front of a live audience.

Grander, bolder, and craftier than “The Play That Goes Wrong”. Adults would enjoy the nerve wrecking line flubs, backstage drama, and nostalgia for Cathy Rigby’s return to the stage. Children will laugh at the high jinks of toppling set pieces, untimely costume changes, and engage with a familiar story and characters in a new fairy tale light. Cathy Rigby is the magic that makes pixie dust extra special.

Cathy and her husband, Tom McCoy, are the producing team behind the “Broadway Series” at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts now presenting “Peter Pan Goes Wrong”. Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, & Henry Shields. Directed by Eric Petersen (La Mirada Theatre’s “The Play That Goes Wrong”).

Performances on select times from October 31 to November 23, 2025. For more information including ticket sales visit www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310.