FAMILY FARE
By Laurel Graeber

A New Neverland

If Peter Pan had been a magician, he might not have needed all that swordplay to get rid of Captain Hook.  In the Melting Pot Theatre Company production "The Magic Land of Peter Pan," there really is a wizard at work, and he has much more than Tinker Bell's pixie dust up his sleeve.

He is Arnie Kolodner, the affable magician, who here plays Peter and Hook.  He uses scenes from J.M. Barrie's tale to show off his feats.

When, for instance, Wendy sews Peter's shadow, Mr. Kolodner makes a thimble disappear and then reappear in various places, including Wendy's hair and behind the ears of several audience members.  He shreds Mr. Darling's newspaper and then restores it.  As Captain Hook, he doesn't make Wendy walk the plank; he saws her into three pieces instead.

Mr. Kolodner's fans -- children 3 to 8 -- are encouraged to answer his questions, shout directions and heckle Captain Hook.  Before the show three lucky ones are selected for onstage parts:  John, Michael and Tinker Bell, who is levitated at the end.  Mr. Kolodner is a winning performer!