Peter and the Starcatcher - Lyric Arts

 Based on the 2004 novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter and the Starcatcher was adapted for the stage by Rick Elice in 2011 and went on to play Broadway. It is the origin story, or at least the backstory, of Peter Pan and the adventures that follow as written by J. M. Barrie. If you have ever wondered how did Peter, Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, Captain Hook, Smee and the crocodile all end up on an Island that happens to be named Neverland - well, this is the play for you. Well, not really a play. More of an adventure...with music and dancing...because Pirates...ya know.

If you know the writings of Dave Barry, you know you are in for a very funny time with a lot of laughs. While I haven't read any Ridley Pearson, from what I can tell from his website, if you know his writings you know you are in for a great adventure! And Peter and the Starcatcher is a near perfect combination of both of those elements in the written form. Transformed and put on the stage by the incredible cast of this Lyric Arts production, it is a perfect laugh riot along with an edge-of-your-seat adventure. 

I would like to say that this production is lead by May Heinecke as Molly, Nate Turcotte as Peter, and Noah Hynick as Black Stache. However I feel that saying that would imply that the cast is broken into leads and non-leads. That is not the case in this production. While there may be roles that have more lines, and more focus to them, this production is truly an ensemble piece. As directed by Scott Ford every single performer is as much of a lead as the other in telling this wonderful story. Naturally there are characters that stand out and are focused on a bit more (those three mentioned above). However, Peter would be nothing without his fellow Lost Boys -  Theo Janke-Furman as Prentiss, and Parker David Payne as Ted. Molly, without Eric Knutson as Lord Asher, or France A. Roberts as Captain Robert, or especially Alex Stokes as Mrs. Bumbroke, would not be as much of a rounded character, nor have as much fun as she clearly is having telling this story. Speaking of fun...Black Stache needs his crew of Charlie Morgan as Alf, Brandon Osero as Grempkin, along with the rest of the company, to be the dastardly villain and comedy star that he is. 

As there are 11 people in the cast, there are a number of performers that play multiple roles. Even if they don't have lines, they all often take a turn (with a quick change of costume) to be a pirate on a Pirate ship, or a member of the Mollusk Clan, or possibly even a mermaid. Using practical stage magic, blue pieces of fabric become water that Molly and Peter swim through, long poles become walls of a hallway on a ship, as well as help create the face of a crocodile. There is much more but I don't want to give it all away. I will say that there is flying that takes place...because naturally there has to be. It is a wonderful show for all ages, and so very funny and clever through out. There is a bit in Act Two that...well, I had tears in my eyes as I was laughing so much. And it isn't just the character that is being focused on either. There are a lot of little comic moments from the entire ensemble through out. To top all of this off, there is music. Led by Wesley Frye, the cast does break into song at times making a delightful play with music. Brilliant ensemble, fantastic direction, and a truly wonderful production.