Panto in the Presidio Returns for the Holidays with Brand-New, Zany and Lavish "Peter Pan"

The annual holiday tradition of Panto in the Presidio returns to the Presidio Theatre with a brand-new, large-scale production of the ageless family classic, Peter Pan in 25 performances December 3 through 29. From the team that produced sold-out performances of Sleeping Beauty panto in 2022 and 2023, the new production uses comedy, musical send-ups of pop music, physical humor, one-line zingers, dance, over-the-top costumes and sets for a fast-paced reminder that it's important to reawaken the childlike wonder and magic in us all.

The setting of Panto in the Presidio's Peter Pan begins with a brief stop in San Francisco before soaring away to Neverland. It features beloved characters including Peter, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, Wendy and the Darling children, the Crocodile, Smee, and others while bringing back signature audience favorites including Pecker the smart-mouthed, singing and dancing rooster and his entourage of feisty chickens and the deliciously whacky dame character, who narrates the action and spills a lot of Neverland gossip. This is a Peter Pan like no other, overseen by Executive Producer Peggy Haas and Associate Producer Sean Riley, who reunite the creative team responsible for the super popular Panto in the Presidio. Panto is a traditional British holiday entertainment that combines slapstick humor, outrageous characters and parodies of current events and people. Audiences get into the action by booing the villains, cheering the heroes and the occasional pelting with candy tossed from the stage.

"We all have cherished memories of the magic and fantasy of childhood we carry with us throughout life," says Peter Pan Executive Producer Peggy Haas, who originated the popular Panto in the Presidio tradition. "Our Peter Pan aims to rekindle these kinds of memories and magic in adults, while creating the stuff of joy and memories younger audience members will hopefully carry with them throughout life. Join us as we merrily careen through a beloved classic story full of heroes, villains, love, loss and the promise of hope and community."

Category: Arts | Performing Arts | Theatre | Musical