Peter and the Starcatcher: A Grownup’s Prequel to Peter Pan is a wacky play by Rick Elice based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. An ensemble of actors enters a bare stage and addresses the audience. Suddenly, the stage is transformed alternately as a pirate ship–the Neverland and a British frigate–the Wasp. The plot revolves around the contents of two identical trunks–one with magical star material and the other filled with sand. Plenty of silliness follows.
Peter Pan begins the musical as a wretched, frequently beaten orphan. Peter and two Lost Boys–Prentiss and Teddy–are rescued by Molly, the plucky daughter of Lord Leonard Aster. Together the children resist the pirates, but find themselves stranded on a strange island. I enjoyed the wild antics of the pirates and the constant bravery of Molly. If you’re in the mood for something very funny and very different, check out Peter and the Starcatcher if it comes to your neighborhood. GRADE: A-
I’ll definitely pass on this.
Steve, you have to be in the mood to watch a lot of silliness if you go to PETER AND THE STARCATCHER.
The only time I’ve ever gone to an opening night was for Peter/Starcatchers at the La Jolla Playhouse, where it premiered. Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson were in the audience, about 2 rows up from us. I loved it. It was the first time I remember seeing Christian Borle, and he stole the show!!!
There was to have been a discussion after the performance, but an audience member had a medical emergency, so that didn’t happen. IIRC, I did get Dave and Ridley to sign my Playbill. With Dave Barry, the magic words are: “I’m a friend of Jeff Meyerson”. I sort of knew Ridley from signings, etc, and talked to him about dogs.
Maggie, sounds like you enjoyed PETER AND THE STARCATCHER as much as I did. You were very lucky to see the Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (and get them to sign your Playbill!). Christian Borle won a Tony for his role in PETER AND THE STARCATCHER version on Broadway.
Almost saw it in NY but missed it. Hope it comes here.
Patti, Diane and Katie saw PETER AND THE STARCATCHER at the Shaw Festival a couple years ago and loved it. This local production was very good.
Glad you got to see this. We saw it on Broadway, of course, and as Maggie said, Christian Borle was great. Unfortunately, Dave wasn’t there that night,,
Jeff, Christian Borle deserved his Tony for PETER AND THE STARCATCHER. He’s a terrific actor!
another actor I liked was a local one, a british guy who I also saw in the Norman conquest (the 3 part play). Ron Charlton. He’s very good, but haven’t seen him recently so he may have moved elsewhere
You don’t mention the music, but I guess if you and the rest of the commentors who have seen it liked it, then it must be good.
Rick, there’s nothing memorable about the music in PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, but it’s witty and clever and helps drive the plot.
That’s too bad. Makes one yearn for the days of Rogers & Hart, or Gershwin.
Rick, I totally agree with you. We’re a long way from the Golden Era of Rogers & Hart!
Thanks! I’ll watch for it.
Dan, you would enjoy the wackiness of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER. But, you have to be in the mood for something off-beat.
Pass!