I didn’t
review Peter and the Star Catcher when it was first released, but I have seen
the show since – last week in fact. It
doesn’t make a lot of sense to do a full review now, but I did want to give my
impressions of the show. I went to see
it because I had heard great things about it – and it is nominated for a number
of Tonys. I wanted to see most of the
nominated shows before the awards ceremonies.
I think it will be fun to know more before rooting for my favorites (and
trashing the rest J).
 |
| Pirate Black Stache (Christian Borle) taunts Lord Astor - Molly's father (Rick Holmes) |
I am sharing
my feedback – not as a review, just as notes.
But the short answer is the show is great and I highly recommend it.
.
Peter and
the Star Catcher is, at its most basic, might be said to be the back-story of
Peter Pan. The play relates the
tall-tale of three orphans (the lost boys), pirates, shipwrecks, Queen Victoria
and “star stuff”, catalyst for dreams.
It is told in a beautifully simplistic way, with more imagination that most
shows on Broadway ever use. Ropes are
used to define rooms, show waves and point the way forward. Instead of a full scale fight between ships, Pirate
Black Stache moves a model boat among the waves.
.
 |
Celia Keenan-Bolger (right) and an
amazing Arnie Burton |
This works
for two reasons. First, it is children’s
tale, where imagination makes sense. It
seems like an elaborate bedtime story.
The staging and storytelling works perfectly in this sense. The second reason this show works is the
energy and commitment of the players. The
show garnered nominations for best featured actor and actress in a play.
.
Nominated Christian Borle plays Black Stache,
as well as other roles. In the role of
Pirate Black Stache, he is manically over the top – perfect for the role. Nominated Celia Keenan-Bolger plays Molly,
daughter of the Captain of Her Majesty’s Ship and Star Catcher in
training. The entire cast works
together beautifully. A salute also has
to go out to Adam Chanler-Berat – who plays Boy / Peter. I saw him (a lot) in Next to Normal, and I
wasn’t sure he would work in this role.
I was wrong, he is magical as Peter. Go see this show - it is appropriate for kids, but wonderful for adults.
.
It was just
announced that Peter and the Star Catcher will go on tour, starting in Denver
in August of 2013.
