The Lyric Stage Company of Boston finishes off another successful season with the frothy and fun "Peter and the Starcatcher", adapted for the stage by Rick Elice from the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. One of several attempts to look behind the timeless story of Peter Pan, this proto-Peter Pan tale uses theatrical devices common to the English Musical Hall, most recently used to great effect in the stage adaptation of "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickelby." In fact, Mr. Elice was inspired to adapt this piece having worked on the Royal Shakespeare Company production of the classic Dickens novel. This play has been called a "grown-up prequel" to Peter Pan, and that seems about right, with familiar elements like the lost boys, a ravenous crocodile, a disarmingly evil sea Captain, a right hand man named Smee, etc.
As written, this is very much an ensemble piece, and Director Spiro Veloudos has assembled an able crew of creative talent and actors to bring this fun tale to life on the Lyric Stage. Janie E. Howland's set is simple and rustic, consisting mostly of rough-hewn planks and timbers. Catherine Stornetta's musical direction is as playful as the subject matter. Ilyse Robbins has choreographed some fun sequences, especially the opulent and outrageously funny opening of Act II, with all of the cast (except for Peter) cavorting as Mermaids in costumes that Elisabetta Polito must had fun designing. The cast members certainly had fun strutting their stuff in this number. Lighting was designed by Frank Meissner, Jr.
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| Cast
"Peter and the Starcatcher"
Lyric Stage Company of Boston
Through June 26th
Photo by Glenn Perry
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The ensemble cast consists of Margaret Ann Brady, Ed Hoopman, Margarita Damaris Martinez, Will McGarrahan, Marc Pierre, Robert Saoud, Tyler Simahk, Alejandro Simoes, Damon Singletary, Matt Spano, Erica Spyres and Dale J. Young.
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| Tyler Simahk as Prentiss, Erica Spyres as Molly Marc Pierre as Peter, Matt Spano as Ted "Peter and the Starcatcher" Lyric Stage Company of Boston Through June 26th Photo by Glenn Perry |
- Ed Hoopman plays the dastardly Black Stache, a proto-Captain Hook who has an unfortunate encounter with the lid of a steamer trunk. He winked and nudged his way through a series of wonderful scene chewing sequences, setting the tone for the rest of the cast to engage in antics that fit the spirit of this piece that contains element of classic Panto.
- Erica Spyres as Molly introduces orphaned Peter to the wonders of a girl's kiss. She combines strength and warmth in equal measure, and wonderfully pre-figures Wendy in the later version of Peter Pan.
- Marc Pierre is his usual winsome self as the orphan Peter, partnering with fellow orphans Prentiss (Tyler Simahk) and Ted (Matt Spano), as well as with Wendy to thwart the evil efforts of Black Stache and his band of ruffians.
- Will McGarrahan is a hilarious and understated Mrs. Bumbrake, Molly's governess.
- Alejandro Simoes is an appropriately subservient right hand man Smee to his master, Stache.
- Damon Singletary is imperious as Lord Aster, Molly's father.
Sunday's audience had no trouble getting into the spirit of the proceedings. We were not there to solve global warming, but to have fun, and I can report that it was Mission Accomplished!
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Ed Hoopman as Black Stache and Cast
"Peter and the Starcatcher"
Lyric Stage Company of Boston
Through June 26th
Photo by Glenn Perry
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Enjoy!
Al
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