Peter and the Starcatcher

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars (Read why below)

Peter and the starcatcher is a wildly theatrical, hilarious and innovative retelling of how a miserable orphan meet the boy who never grew up.

Type of musical

Peter and the starcatcher is an action-packed play where good meets evil and adventure ensues.

Synopsis

The play is based on the best-selling children’s book published in 2004 and entitled Peter and the Starcatchers. The novel is a prequel to Peter and Wendy, written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and is the first in a series of four books, all telling the backstory of the boy who never grew up. The play debuted in 2009 in a University theatre, finally opening on Broadway on April 15th 2012.

More about the musical

The play tells the story of an unnamed boy, who, along with his fellow lost boys, are shipped off on a ship called ‘The Neverland’ to becoming slaves of Zarboff, the barbaric King of the land of Rundoon. Life on the sea doesn’t seem much better than slavery, however, as they are left at the mercy of Bill Slank, the abusive second-in-command. The boys look to Peter for help, which is to be found in the form of a mysterious treasure chest. All who touch it are instantly healed, and all in its presence feel an undeniable sense of peace and happiness. Determined to discover the secret of this chest, Peter meets Molly, the daughter of the ambassador of Rundoon, who knows more about the treasure than she is willing to share. What happens next is a timeless tale of good verses evil, played out by some enormously talented actors. An ensemble of just twelve cast members manage to successfully play over fifty characters. The simplicity of the props and scenery is remarkable, with only ropes and simple objects, for instance, being used to create the impression of a moving ship. Adding the fact that the orchestra consists of only a pianist and a percussionist, what Peter and the Starcatcher may lack in storyline is more than made up for in its ingenious execution.

Actors in the American show of Peter and the Starcatcher

The play has been hit with mixed reviews, despite being nominated for several Tony Awards. Of these awards is included that of Best Featured Actor in a Play for Christian Borle, and Best Featured Actress in a Play for Celia Keenan-Bolger. Both Borle and Keenan-Bolger have made a name for themselves on the stage, starring in Legally Blonde and Les Miserables respectively.

Memorable Scenes

Anybody who is familiar with the story of Peter Pan cannot help but remember the scene in Peter and the Starcatcher where we finally learn how Captain Hook lost his hand. On a more lighthearted note, the opening scene of the second act, featuring a mostly in-drag chorus of mermaids with glittery tails, is also decidedly memorable.

Review of Peter and the Starcatcher

Peter and the starcatcher rates an average 3/5. Nothing incredible about this production, which at times loses its entertainment value by appearing too clever for its own good: some children’s stories are just not meant for adults.

Memorable Quotes

The show has some clever one-liners, including the captain of the Neverland, Bill Slank, who declares he is “Slank by name, Slank by nature. Rhymes with Plank, which makes two things yet don’t wanna cross on the Neverland”. Also noteworthy is Black Stache’s proclamation that Peter is “the semi to my colon”.

Theatres showing the play

Peter and the Starcatcher is currently showing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

Cheap Tickets to Peter and the Starcatcher

The cheapest tickets are available for Sundays showing at 7pm, and also for students at all performances. They can be purchased online from www.ticketmaster.com.

Other theatre shows worth visiting in New York

There are plenty of other spectacular shows to see on Broadway. Read our reviews of Lion King, Jersey Boys, Wicked, Mary Poppins and Ghost to name a few.