Review: LOST GIRL at Wichita Community Theatre

“Just always be waiting for me.” Does this quote sound romantic or narcissistic to you? Kimberly Belflower’s Lost Girl, running at Wichita Community Theatre through June 14th, explores this very question. A coming of age drama with a female centric take on where the Peter Pan story, by J.M. Barrie, leaves off. Specifically with Wendy Darling. What happens when you take the fictional notions from a 100 year old children’s book and bring it forward into contemporary culture? Lost Girl invites us to put a realistic lens onto this make-believe tale. Get ready for big adventure!

As the classic bedtime story goes, Peter Pan whisks the three Darling children away from their nursery, through the window, in the night, to Neverland. Here they are met with danger, wonderment and no parents around. Wendy Darling, the only girl of the bunch, is left to “cook, clean, tell the Lost Boys bedtime stories,” and is effectively wood by the mercurial Peter Pan. He has a “voice that no woman has ever yet been able to resist.” Spotting any red flags?

Under the Direction and Costume Design of Jessica Heidrick, who’s gathered a passionate group of young people to share this sensitive, creative play that picks up where childhood leaves off. Asking, how do we carry the highs and lows of being little into adulthood?

After being returned home, Wendy, played by Francie Robu, feels abandoned, with no closure from her life changing encounter with Peter. Becoming something of a local celebrity after she and her brothers’ disappearance, the community twitters at her strange behavior post kidnapping. Yet, she sees it differently. She waits for him to come back, year after year. Robu is commanding and not afraid of the complex emotions that befall a “survivor.” Confidently questioning authority figures, and obsessively committed to becoming whole again, Robu creates a memorable Wendy.

Flanked by an ensemble of voices and personalities, the community around Wendy is both worried for her and confused by her unsettled mind. A doctor, a therapist, a detective, plus the Lost Boys she brought back from Neverland, everyone has an opinion and some advise for her.

As comic relief, and heart-to-heart confidants, the Lost Boys are played by Caleb Jamal Manuel, Nathaniel Schmucker, Shane Wilson and Trystan Mitchell. Mitchell is natural and endearing as Slightly, who falls for Wendy, and wants to help her forget her memories by admitting he has feelings for her.

We subconsciously knew that Peter Pan was making grandiose promises that he couldn’t keep, but he wasn’t making those vows to just one little girl! Rachel Criswell, Laura Koerner, Bella Vogt are the chorus of young women both echoing and questioning what Wendy experienced as she works through her distress. Suggesting that what is most important is how we perceive and define what has happened to us.

Grey Thaw brings wonderful energy to the melancholy story. As Nina, who has a great curiosity for Wendy, and interviews her to understand what makes her different. Ashley McCracken as Mother, is thoughtful, measured and painfully patient as Wendy acts out towards those trying to help her. Grayson Williams as “Boy” dates Wendy. His understated portrayal is refreshing.

By the time Justice Murray enters as a charming and relaxed, adult Peter, we are already questioning, is he more master manipulator or perhaps just a selfish egocentric? The boyish playfulness comes off as almost passive aggressive now. We hope Wendy is ready to tell him off!

A simple set, by actor Bella Vogt, highlighting the chemistry of the ensemble, with layered, angular platforms giving dimension to the scenes. Playful shadow puppets are used reminding us of the magic and childhood which have morphed into the stark reality of doctor’s offices and disappointments. The warm and cool tones of Beetle Hatch’s Lighting Design compliment the moods. Sound Design by actor Gray Thaw adds interesting details.

Sitting in the audience on a Sunday afternoon with a full house, I saw how problematic many of the quotes from the original J.M. Barrie story sounded to my 2026 sensibilities. Part memory play, part survivor’s drama, the tone of Lost Girl could get a bit singular. A more energetic pacing could have brought needed variety.

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