One of the most wicked villains Kean stage has seen

Mark Zebro plays Captain Hook in Kean Stage’s Peter Pan.

By Bhriana Smith

The dynamic of villainy in fictional narratives is fascinating. Villains are becoming popular in their own right, especially the villain in Kean Stage’s Peter Pan production, Captain Hook.

Even if you’re not a fan of Peter Pan, you can’t help but be amazed by Mark Zebro Jr.’s portrayal of Captain Hook. Zebro, a senior who’s a theater major with a minor in communications, captured all of the pride, malevolence, arrogance and wickedness that make Captain Hook fearfully fascinating.

His acting is comparable to that of Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal in the Steven Spielberg’s film Hook. Interestingly enough, Hoffman’s portrayal aided Zebro while he was rehearsing for the role.

While the audience was captivated by Zebro’s confidence on stage, Zebro said that he wasn’t always that way.

“I was never a very social kid growing up. I’m not sure what even led me to audition for my first high school show,” stated Zebro. “But there’s this moment—as soon as you step on that stage, something just takes over you.”

As most actors in theater, Zebro played another character during this production, the father of Wendy, John and Michael –Mr. Darling, who is introduced in the play as an antagonist. Upon the return of his children from Neverland, his role reverses and he becomes a protagonist.

When asked where he could see himself 10 years from now, Zebro expressed that he hoped to be acting, specifically voice acting.

“Voice actors are less justified in the media. I think they’re fantastic,” said Zebro.

As for which actor he aspires to be like, he responded, “Robin Williams”.

“Robin Williams –I’ve found him to be a role model to me. He comes from almost the same place that I do,” stated Zebro.

“It was a probably a little less than a week before I got casted when Robin Williams’ passed. I went back and watched a couple of his films back to back, like Hook. In the last scene there’s a great line in which Williams says ‘To live would be an awfully big adventure,’ rewording J.M. Barrie’s original line in which Peter says ‘to die would be an awfully big adventure.’ It’s so powerful. He definitely left his legacy on this world.”

Zebro is especially fond of Williams’ role of The Genie from Disney’s Aladdin. While Zebro’s idol is that of a tragic hero, his ability to capture the elements of a villain was astonishing.

“I’m just playing a role that so iconic, and so well known by audiences around the world. It’s just amazing,” he said.

Captain Hook may have been the greatest villain that Neverland has ever known, but the greatest villain Kean Stage has ever known is, Mark Zebro Jr.

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