When NBC’s Peter Pan Live! aired, all eyes were on Allison Williams as Peter Pan and Christopher Walken as Captain Hook. However, it was another performer who truly stole the show, becoming an unexpected viral sensation: the crocodile. Forget Brian Williams or Laura Benanti rumors; the person inside the iconic croc suit was none other than assistant choreographer Charlie Williams (no relation to Allison). This wasn’t CGI magic, but a dedicated performance that captivated audiences and critics alike. Mashable even declared the Peter Pan Live! alligator the “true breakout star.” EW got the scoop from Williams himself to uncover what it was really like to embody Captain Hook’s reptilian nemesis and experience the overwhelming fan reaction.
Landing the Role: A Surprise Opportunity
The part of the alligator wasn’t a traditional audition. As Williams explains, it was director and choreographer Rob Ashford who presented him with the unique opportunity. “He said he had a fun little part for me,” Williams recalls. Initially hesitant, worried about missing out on other aspects of the production, Williams ultimately embraced the challenge. It turned out to be a much more involved role than just being the croc.
More Than Just a Crocodile: A Busy Night in Neverland
Far from being solely confined to the alligator suit, Williams was a dynamic part of the Peter Pan Live! ensemble. “You see me throughout,” he points out, revealing an impressive ten costume changes during the live broadcast. Beyond the famous reptile, Williams portrayed an islander, a pirate, and even partnered with the mermaids in the lagoon sequences. It was a whirlwind night of quick changes and diverse performances, all while secretly being the show’s most talked-about character.
Inside the Alligator Suit: A Unique Performance Challenge
Contrary to online speculation about CGI, the Peter Pan Live! alligator was entirely real, brought to life by Williams. “It was 100% me,” he confirms, amused by comments wishing the croc had always been a person instead of CGI. However, inhabiting the bulky costume was far from easy. Designed in collaboration with Catherine Zuber and the costume team, the suit was “not the most comfortable thing ever.” Transitioning from dance numbers to the heavy, cumbersome alligator required significant adjustment. The design featured Williams’ head positioned downwards, extending his spine upwards to create the croc’s distinctive posture.
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Lewis Jacobs/NBC
Vision Obstruction and Physical Demands
The most significant hurdle of the alligator role was the extreme limitation of vision. “The biggest challenge was that I could never see,” Williams states. With his nose practically to the ground to maintain the croc’s head position, he relied entirely on auditory cues and memorized stage landmarks for navigation. Interacting with other actors became a unique acting exercise in spatial awareness and listening. The weight of the headpiece also presented a physical challenge. While designed to be as light as possible, its sheer size, extending two to three feet beyond Williams’ head, necessitated a helmet and bungee cords for support. “There were bungee cords that went from the forehead of the croc all the way down my back to help support the weight,” he explains. Putting on the suit was a multi-step process involving both the body suit and the supportive rigging.
Research and Movement: Bringing the Alligator to Life
To create a believable yet fantastical alligator, Williams delved into research on crocodile movements. His goal was to strike a balance between realism and the whimsical nature of Neverland. The costume’s design, with its “elaborate colors and the purples and blues,” already hinted at a creature beyond the ordinary. This allowed Williams creative freedom in his portrayal. He opted for slower, more deliberate movements, believing it conveyed a greater sense of menace and confidence, fitting for Captain Hook’s persistent foe.
Walken’s Croc Enthusiasm: Banter and Improvisation
Rehearsing with Christopher Walken proved to be an entertaining and collaborative experience. “You never know what Walken’s going to do. That’s part of his charm,” Williams laughs. Walken’s fascination with the alligator suit was immediate and ongoing. Throughout rehearsals, he eagerly anticipated seeing the full costume. Even in early rehearsals, with Williams improvising the alligator’s movements without the suit, Walken was captivated. When the suit was finally revealed, Walken was “very impressed” and fully embraced the theatrical dynamic between Hook and the croc. This enthusiasm even led to improvisation during the live performance, with Walken adding the line “don’t rush me” in response to the alligator’s approach, adding an unexpected layer of comedic banter to their scenes.
Viral Sensation: The Alligator’s Unexpected Fame
The overwhelmingly positive reaction to the Peter Pan Live! alligator caught Williams completely by surprise. “I didn’t think the croc was going to get much attention at all, being that it had such little camera time,” he admits. However, the unique visual and performance clearly resonated with viewers, leading to memes like “gators gonna gate” and widespread acclaim. Being hailed as the “breakout star” and even seeing rumors of celebrities like John Travolta being inside the suit was “completely flattering” for Williams. It highlighted the impact of his performance and the costume’s design, proving that even a non-speaking, vision-obstructed role could capture the audience’s imagination.
A Quintessential Croc Moment: Protecting Peter Pan
For Williams, the most memorable alligator scene was “The Duel” on Marooners’ Rock. This pivotal moment, where the alligator intervenes to protect Peter Pan from Captain Hook, was both narratively significant and physically engaging. Rising from the lagoon mist “at the right moment to protect Peter” was a powerful visual. The rehearsal process also informed the performance, with Williams and Allison Williams establishing a playful dynamic between Peter Pan and the alligator as allies. This underlying camaraderie, even if unseen by the audience due to the costume, added depth to the alligator’s heroic intervention. Ultimately, Charlie Williams’ portrayal of the Peter Pan Live! alligator became a testament to the power of physical performance and costume design in creating a truly memorable and beloved character.
