The musical is drawn from the 1845 German “Struwwelpeter,” fairy tales that make the more-familiar-to-American-readers Grimm tales seem, well, perhaps light-hearted. The show debuted in 1998 and has, until recent shows in Chicago and San Diego, been produced more often in Europe.
“Peter” features a score by the British cult band The Tiger Lilies, described by a New York Times critic as “bizarrely beautiful songs.” Consider the music a polka-influenced cabaret, Ungerman says. “There’s a lot of oompah in this show, and a little bit of jazz influence, as well,” adds producer Dave Mortensen.