Who doesn’t love an origin story? Director Stacy Searle asks just that in her director’s note for CLP’s Peter and the Starcatcher. A wildly theatrical adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novels, Peter and the Starcatcher is a play with music that whimsically explores the bonds of friendship, duty, and love.
Plot of CLP’s Peter and the Starcatcher
The Story of Peter Pan is one that has been around for over a hundred years. Countless musicals, movies, and spinoffs have been created around this story. But what happened to make Peter into Pan? To make the pirate leader into Captain hook? And what exactly is Tinker Bell? Playright Rick Elice answers all these and more within Peter and the Starcatcher.
The show begins with a young orphan and his mates who are shipped off from Victorian England, at the same time as a young girl named Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training, her father, and nanny sail across the sea with sights set on a distant island. The musical score composed by Wayne Barker adds context and shape to the story–as well as a couple traditional musical numbers complete with singing and dancing. Add scheming pirates, hidden identities, and the mystical cargo called “starstuff” and a thrilling adventure ensues.
Production Team for Peter and the Starcatcher
Director Stacey Searle and has created a single set which transports us to the magical land of storytelling. Fashioned as the ship’s forward, the stage features levels, mast, sail and helm along with many other surprises both stationary and portable. The Choreography of Zac Holeman is wildly entertaining. His hand as co-director is evident far beyond musical numbers. The rhythm of this show compels the audience forward and engages the viewer throughout. Greg Dastillung certainly has his hands full as musical director. Although only a few musical numbers grace the stage, there is ensemble work throughout as the team creates storybook scenes and chants phrases of a Greek Chorus to bring both emphasis and energy to select moments of this show.
The costumes designed by June Hill and Jesselee Whitson are wonderful! Each character group has its own persona- from Victorian English Lord and captain, to poor orphans, to flamboyant pirates. Put this together with the wigs, hats and facial hair (you must have a ‘stache) and we are ready for a true storybook experience.
In general the lighting for the show is fairly open–allowing the audience to see action across the full width and height of the stage. This makes the moments of focus all the more special. Denny Reed shines when we are surprised with a starry night in the background, highlighting boys in flight, or creating a miniature fairy zooming around to a tinkling bell.
Talented Cast (Leads)
Meet the Pan:
One of the more interesting aspects of this tale is that our titled lead, Peter, doesn’t actually have a name at the start of the show. Known only as “Boy”, actor Aaron Schilling begins the story as a cowering figure. As the story progresses we see this boy transform into a self-possessed and confident leader. Mr. Schilling does an expert job of conveying this mental and emotional journey and enrolling the audience in his passionate championship.
The Girl in Charge:
The lead actress, Zoe Zoller plays Molly Aster and is, without a doubt, the energetic heart of this production. Young Molly is written with the brash enthusiasm of a 13-year-old, coupled with the feminism of child who has been raised with the confidence that they can do anything they set their mind to. Ms. Zoller brings just the right amount of zing and sparkle to her performance which has the audience rooting for her success throughout the show.
Power Pairs:
The duo of Mrs. Bumbrake and Alf (Emily Borst and Nick Godfrey respectively) are a delight. An unlikely partnership emerges between these two characters which also happen to have delightful solos and the voices to carry them off! Black Stache is (Doug Fries). His portrayal brings this pirate captain to new heights, and has an excellent foil in Smee (Tyler Gau). If there is a comic relief due in the show, this is it. We already know who this duo is destinted to become in the famous Peter Pan tales, but how will they get there? And who knew Hook would have such a lovely voice?
A Lord with a Special Tail:
My favorite performer in this production happens to be Flowy Ebony, who portrays both Lord Aster and the Lead Mermaid. Yes, you read that spoiler alert correctly, the lead mermaid. Act 2 of Peter and the Starcatcher starts things with a bang and reveals the “mermaid gang” of Peter Pan to our audience. With a dazzling voice and scintillating attitude, Flowy Ebony brings a mischievous spirit to one of the few group musical numbers of this show. They later return to the character of Lord Aster with pomp and circumstance and a fatherly countenance which will resonate with parents everywhere.
Bottom Line
Peter and the Starcatcher is a fun night for kids of any age. It is filled with humor from start to finish, but also manages to warm the heart and soul.
Get Tickets to CLP’s Peter and the Starcatcher NOW!
Tickets for this childhood origin story runs for three weeks at the Warsaw Federal Incline theater. Performances run July 10 – August 4. Showtimes on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sunday matinee at 2:00pm. Pricing: Adult tickets are $33, Seniors/Students $30. Visit https://www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/Incline to purchase tickets online (additional fees apply) or call 513-241-6550
