Taken from James M. Barrie timeless story “Peter Pan,” intellectual wit Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson created a Peter that tells the story of the how and where the boy came from. “Peter and the Starcatcher” is imaginatively transferred to the stage by Tony Award-winning writer Rick Elice with award-winning director Robert Kelly at the helm. Twelve of the best actors in TheatreWorks’ list play 50 characters telling the story of how and why Peter Pan was the boy who never wanted to grow up.
The story tells about an abused, starved orphan who is sold with other orphans to work on a pirate ship, The SS Neverland, under the command of the cruel Captain Black Stache (wildly hilarious Patrick Kelly Jones). The boy finds courage to scuffle with pirates and escape giant crocodiles and questionable mermaids while protecting a treasure given to him to safeguard. With his lost boys (other orphans), he runs the gambit of surviving a shipwreck, almost drowning and winning a duel. He is attracted to the kindness he has never known by Molly (delightfully charming Adrienne Walters), the inquisitively, intelligent organizer with a mission who manages the motley group.
Imagination is the key element here: Ropes and waving material become choppy seas; ladders are hills and mountains; bras are made from vegetable steamers, tea pots, plants and saucers; and the cast themselves act as doors, walls and mermaids. An overstuffed flying cat tests your creative eye to see what is so simply laid out to tell this story.
The boy is finally given a name. “Peter” is decided upon and Molly in all her wisdom foresees Peter (a convincing Tim Homsley) coming from his island in the far future to take her daughter, Wendy and her children on a glorious adventure.
As usual Kelly’s direction and TheatreWorks brings in a brilliant production with Jones, Ron Campbell (Mrs. Baumbrake) and Darren Bridgett (Lord Aster) delivering outstanding performances. Super Conductor William Liberator carries the complete score with his keyboard and accompanied by a percussionist who presents the music to come across as a full orchestra.
See “Peter and the Starcatcher” with and open heart and mind and let your imagination enjoy the delight that is scattered over all by this well-coordinated, hard-working and talented cast.
Where: Lucy Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
Through: Jan 3
Tickets: $19-$74
Details: (650) 463-1960 or visit theatreworks.org
