Peter and the Starcatcher

There are very few stories that have captivated the world as the tale of Peter Pan. Originally produced as a play by Sir J.M.Barrie in London in 1904 (after having made a brief appearance in a novel for adults in 1902 called The little white bird). The story has been told innumerable times on Stage and Screen as well as in many editions of children's books.

Many have often wondered, how did the boy who wont grow up come to Never land? Where did fairy's come from? Why does captain hook hate Peter Pan? These questions and many more are answered in the imaginative play Peter and the Star catcher currently mesmerizing audiences young and old at The Brooks Atkinson Theater on Broadway.

The story (without spoiling it for you) concerns, pirates, sailing ships, mysterious islands, and magical matter called Star Stuff. We are introduced to Molly Aster and her father Leonard, who are sailing to the Island of Randoon. Along the way we discover the origins of the boy who wont grow up.

The play is presented as a play. We are introduced to a group of actors who admittedly are presenting a show for us. The result is a magical, whimsical, and insanely creative way of story telling. There are no wire's or trap doors. Everything is visible. The ingenuity and theatrical craftsmanship is enchanting for audience members young and old.

The cast is also brilliant. Celia Keenan Bolger is giving a remarkable performance as Mary Aster. Christian Borle is inspired as Black Stache (and could very well win the Tony Award a week from Sunday). Adam Chanler-Beret is also quite good as "Boy", if not perhaps carrying over a bit too much angst from Rent and Next to Normal.

Peter and The Starcatcher is categorized as a "play with music". It's not a musical in the sense that characters do not sing to each other, and there are very few songs. It is however, a VERY musical play. The music is also wonderful, particularly the act II opener (which I hope they get to perform at The Tony Awards).

The set, costume and lighting design should be mentioned because each one compliments the other so divinely, as well as the show. Each theatrical element is almost it's own character in the piece. The play is so neatly tied together you feel as though if one tiny detail were different you'd be seeing an entirely different show.

Peter and The Starcatcher is nominated for Best Play at The Tony Awards and it stands a very good chance of winning. The challenge for this show is going to be convincing adults that this is not just a play for children. Children will certainly enjoy the play, but adults will enjoy it equally so. It has the trans formative power to render every person in the audience a 7 year old, at least for a few hours.