Peter Pan Syndrome

The New Victory presents two magical stories this month. The first is The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy (through May 8), an original yarn from Australia’s Slingsby Theatre Company playing at the Duke on 42nd Street. When Cheeseboy’s home world turns to fondue, the youngster sets out on an amazing journey through the cosmos. In New Victory’s home space, experimental theater company Mabou Mines brings back Peter and Wendy, based on J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. Karen Kandel reprises her performance, in which she gives voice to every character in this poignant and poetic telling of the adventures of the boy who wouldn’t grow up.

Educator and entertainer Alex Ishkanian is giving an interactive lesson in how to address bullying with his one-man musical Bully Button (through May 29) at the 13th Street Rep. Using singing, dancing, and plenty of humor, Alex teaches kids aged 3 and older that, like the characters in his story, they too can learn how to successfully deal with bullies.

In The Complete Works of the Brothers Grimm (Abridged) (through May 30), four actors storm the stage to tell dozens of classic fairy tales, all in under an hour! Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella are just a few of the beloved Grimm characters whose stories will be told at lightning speed during this Manhattan Children’s Theatre production.

Based on the Wendi Kaufman short story of the same name, Helen on 86th Street (through May 8) has been transformed into a full-length musical with book/lyrics by Nicole Kempskie and music by Robby Stamper. A true New York story, the show is about a 12-year-old NYC girl coping with a single mom and an absent dad, while dealing with disappointments in school and the pressures of tween life. People of all ages will appreciate this story of loss and acceptance and its message of hope and redemption.

Literally Alive presents its original musical telling of the Hans Christian Andersen favorite The Little Mermaid (through May 22) at the Players Theatre. The story of a mermaid who dreams of exploring the world beyond the sea, the production features a number of colorful characters including the title character’s loving father King Neptune and her evil foe, the diva-like Fish-witch.

The Little Orchestra Society is celebrating the big bad wolf with a 75th anniversary production of Sergei Prokofiev’s musical masterpiece Peter and the Wolf (May 7), presented at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. Directed by Annette Jolles, the performance will also feature music by other Russian composers including Stravinsky and Shostakovich. Afterwards, there will be a “Peter’s Birthday Celebration” benefit at The Russian Tea Room.