Peter and the Starcatcher
Now at New World Stages
340 West 50th St. NYC
Ever wondered how Peter Pan started to never grow up? How he met Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, the Lost Boys, or the Crocodile? How Neverland got its name? If so, you’re in luck, because you can find out all of these things and more in the off-Broadway hit Peter and the Starcatcher!
Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter and the Starcatcher follows the adventurous exploits of Molly Aster, the daughter of Lord Aster, as she and her father set out on a dangerous mission to transport a precious treasure belonging to Queen Victoria herself (God save her.) However, when things go awry and the pirate Captain Black Stache appears on the scene (Rick Holmes, stealing the show from the moment he shows his infamous ‘stache, I might add), it’s up to Molly and her three orphan friends to save the queen’s treasure.
Every bit of Starcatcher is outstanding, from the costume, set, and lighting design to the superb acting and writing. Jason Ralph is incredible as the boy who (SPOILER-ISH) becomes the Peter Pan we all know and love, and his portrayal of the character’s evolution from a brooding, silent, and scarred orphan into the carefree spirit of childhood that the character of Peter Pan traditionally represents is downright stunning.
After the show ended, we were given a glimpse at what goes on behind the scenes at Peter and the Starcatcher, getting a closer look at some of the costumes and props used in the show, and even having the opportunity to go on stage with the Starcatcher’s stage manager, Katherine Wallace, and several of its stars. Finding out how some of the magic of this show was created did not dull the wonder that the performance evoked— rather, it enhanced the experience to see how the different layers of the set come together, to see the many lights used to create the various effects and scenery changes, and to learn that the set was comprised largely of found materials to reinforce the show’s theme of discovering the magic inside each of us, and finding a home in the people you love and care about.
Peter and the Starcatcher is an amazing story and an excellent show— a hilarious romp through the Neverland you never knew it certainly is— and it’s a great choice for the whole family to enjoy!
Peter and the Starcatcher, winner of 5 Tony Awards, is currently running at New World Stages on W 50th Street between 8th Avenue and 9th Avenue. http://peterandthestarcatcher.com/
Disclosure: Review tickets provided by The Culture Mom and Peter and the Starcatcher.
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