RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
Peter Pan, the story, is more than 100 years old, and yet, its low-key queerness feels very prevalent today. At least, one actor thinks so.
Kurt Perry (he/they) is among the cast of the touring musical which landed in Dallas at The Music Hall at Fair Park on Christmas Day as part of the Broadway Dallas series. The actor plays Mr. Smee, and in his extensive time with the show and character, Perry has done the work in bringing a bit of himself to the character.
“Well, he certainly has a queer sensibility,” the actor said of his character by phone from the show’s San Antonio stop. “He makes all their outfits. He keeps the ship running. But he’s not genuinely good at his job.
“I think he’s just focused on survival, but he’s also, ya know, creative.”
The 34-year-old actor has spent quality time with the character for a while now. Perry has been with the show since its scripted workshop in August 2023. The fantasy musical has been performed for almost 70 years but has now been revived with a new adaptation by playwright Larissa Fast Horse, directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price and with choreography by Lorin Latarro.
In those early workshops, they were honing in on Horse’s book, which gives the show a needed update.
“Her adaptation does away with a lot of the harm of the original story, especially it’s representation of indigenous characters,” Perry said. “I think she’s done a wonderful job at weaving indigenous characters into the story. But also, all the great things and songs people remember are still there.”
Given his tenure with the show, Perry said he had the privilege of building his Smee from the ground up.
“I pull the energy of Dan Levy and these great queer comedians into him — and definitely myself as well. But I think that queerness is so woven into the fabric of Smee.”
He’s not just queer, per Perry’s declaration; he’s also a bear. Woof! Grr!
For the actor, getting to play this particular character has been a revelation.
“I’m so glad you brought this up,” he said. “One thing I don’t get to talk about is being a plus-sized performer.”
Perry said he feels that theater is trending toward more slender casting these days, so to have this role now is quite an opportunity.
“It’s so difficult to see yourself onstage as a plus-size person. Smee is generally short and slight; I am neither,” Perry said. “And I do think there has been a real and genuine attempt with this company and Larissa to keep away from anything remotely as a fat joke.
“There’s one line that may be read like that, but it doesn’t feel like it’s a slight — to me anyways.”
Because he performs the show perhaps up to eight times a week, Perry has naturally lost some weight. Regardless, though, he’s found a supportive cast and crew.
“It’s neither good nor bad that I’ve lost weight. It’s simply the job. I’m doing a show where I’m running around a lot and doing physical things,” Perry stated.
“But I’m comfortable with who I am and happy that I can be onstage that way. I’ve really found joy in myself and in the show, and I’ve released that pressure that queer men put on themselves about their physical aesthetics.”
So, in short, Perry’s having a gay ol’ time being Mr. Smee.
Peter Pan plays through Jan. 5. For tickets, visit BroadwayDallas.org.