Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Beacon Theatre Workshop is bringing Neverland to RI. “Peter and the Starcatcher”, a play by Rick Elice, is a prequel story based on the novel by David Barry and Ridley Pearson. The show won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2012. This production will bring you right back to your childhood to relive memories of watching Mary Martin in “Peter Pan” on TV for many years as well as pretending to be this impish character, too. This show is interactive and encourages audience participation on a wild ride of fun involving pirates, secret treasure, action, adventure and even a little magic. This immersive theatre experience is full of captivating musical performances and surprises around every corner. Director Jason LeClair picks 17 of the most talented students around to star in this energetic fantasy with 13 year olds played by these high school students, good guys, bad guys, exploits at sea, mermaids, islanders called mollusks, “star stuff,” and a band of pitiful pirates to capture your imagination and entertain you all night long.
However it is in the second act where things get tied together with the original story that bring you full circle into the world of Peter Pan. The performers move seamlessly from narration into their roles. Molly is set adrift with her nanny, Mrs. Bumbrake, a cargo trunk with a secret hidden in it, three lost boys and a less than adept crew whose ship is overtaken by Black Stache and his flunky, Smee. The character who eventually becomes Peter, is a boy who is constantly beaten, is afraid of his own shadow but in the course of the show learns how to be a man. The irony is that once he becomes Peter Pan, he remains a boy forever. The most dynamic group number comes at the start of Act 2 about being a mermaid.
Charlotte McKenna command the stage as Molly. Her acting is dynamic and captivating as she proves that women can think just as well as any man can. Haille Brodeur also does a great job as Peter, who at first doesn’t have a name but eventually finds one with the help of “star stuff”. His two fellow lost boys are not only comical but also tug at your heartstrings near the end of the show. Lucas Watson as Prentiss and Cole Stanley as Ted are marvelous as Peter’s sidekicks. One of the biggest scene stealers is Gian DiManna as Black Stache. His comic timing’s splendid to behold and his villainy is brilliant as he browbeats his crony, Smee who is wonderfully played by Bethany Crawford. Maximillian Mundell plays Molly’s very proper British father wonderfully. He holds the answer to the puzzle at the end of the show. Kudos to the whole cast on a job very well done. Musical direction and accompaniment is by Dr. E. Justin Simone. So for a fun filled show that will take you back to wonderful memories of Peter Pan, be sure to catch “Peter and the Starcatcher” at Beacon Theatre Workshop.
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (9 to 17 November)
Beacon Theatre Workshop, 320 Main St, 3rd Floor, Woonsocket, RI
beaconbooktix.com or www.beacontheatreworkshop.org
