This play of Peter Pan is based on the 1911 book Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie and not on the play published in the 1920’s. The story is narrated by Tinker Bell who ostensibly tells us the true story in play form. The play within the play is put on by the Neverland Community Players, who apparently do not have a big budget, not one big enough for Flying by Foy in any case. What they do have are some eager and some disgruntled actors, pop culture references and parody, and a lot of over-the-top enthusiasm.
The book is more descriptive and has a lot more tongue in cheek humor than the play, and having Tinker Bell narrate allows us to explore that humor. It also creates a part that’s as big or bigger than Wendy’s for a girl to play.
Because the book is based on the unpublished 1902 version of the play, it has all the familiar characters, Michael, John and Wendy, Captain Hook, Smee and the pirates, the Crocodile, the Lost Boys, Mermaids, and Tiger Lily.