Reviews: Peter and the Starcatcher presented by Loudoun Valley HS
Written by Juliana Esen of Falls Church High School
Before Peter Pan learned to fly, Captain Hook acquired his menacing moniker, and Neverland became synonymous with childhood wonderment, there was "Peter and the Starcatcher", a play that dares to answer the age-old question: what if your favorite bedtime story was retold by a band of eccentric storytellers with a knack for absurdity and flair for the theatrical?
The whimsical prequel to "Peter Pan", "Peter and the Starcatcher" started as a novel in 2004 written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. The play, composed by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker, debuted in 2009 and made its Broadway run in 2012, earning five Tony Awards. It tells the imaginative origin story of Peter Pan, Molly, Captain Hook, and Neverland through clever wordplay, inventive staging, and heartfelt storytelling. Molly, a brave and resourceful young Starcatcher apprentice, plays a central role in helping The Boy, Peter, discover his destiny while protecting magical cargo from feared pirate Stache, more commonly known as Captain Hook. With its ensemble-driven performance and witty humor, the production offers a refreshingly unique theatrical experience.
Elliana Cruise portrayed the resourceful, intelligent, and courageous Molly. With her youthful spirit, lilting British accent, charisma with Peter, and determination to follow in her father's footsteps, Cruise played an exemplary, compassionate Molly.
Emma Tulowitzky depicted the comedic and over-the-top nature of Bumbrake brilliantly. Tulowitzky added touches of maturity and charm to this production and her fearlessness and unexpected romance with sailor Alf, portrayed by Sarah Bader, as well as her no-nonsense attitude made her a beloved and memorable character.
Ben Demase, playing the flamboyant and extravagant Stache, brought boundless energy to the stage with his fantastic physicality and dramatic flair. His exaggerated antics and penchant for dramatic flair brought both comedy and chaos to the story, leaving audiences laughing at his outrageous missteps while marveling at his charisma.
Mia Templeton, the whimsical and wise Teacher, embodied the magical and surreal qualities of Peter and the Starcatcher. With her fantastical and otherworldly tone, Templeton immerses audiences in the narrative and reinforces the mythical spirit of this production.
Emily O’Brien, Ella Cormicle, and Lilly Tester brought this story to life with their imaginative and versatile attire, each piece of clothing cleverly suggesting their roles. With multifaceted outfits to convey a shift from The Neverland to the island, the crew showcased the shifting of the storyline from Act One to Act Two beautifully.
The sound production (Wil Shank and Katelyn Haggard) enhanced the adventurous tone of this story. From whimsical music to sound effects that allow the audience to feel in the world of the play, whether that be the jungle or ship, a fantastical world is brought to life by this crew.
Abigail Crowley and Dylan Tricario formed cleverly minimal yet highly imaginative props. A standout is the crocodile, brought to life by actors and lights, with bright eyes and a large mouth, making it a menacing addition to this play.
With its talented cast and creative crew, Peter and the Starcatcher shows that even timeless stories have beginnings, proving that sometimes, the past is just as adventurous as the future.
Written by Liza Plis of Falls Church High School
Hear the waves crashing ashore? How about the pitchy squawk of the long extinct dodo bird or the alluring call of a mermaid? No, your ears are not deceiving you. You must be at Loudoun Valley High School’s production of "Peter and the Starcatcher", a rambunctious reimagining of the classic tale of "Peter Pan".
Originally based on a best-selling children’s novel, this play by Rick Elice garnered critical recognition during its brief run on Broadway. In 2012, it won a Tony for both Best Lighting Design and Best Costume Design. Clearly, Loudoun Valley had been taking notes. The lighting (Marjorie Young, Adela King, Sophie Schober, Daniel Bock) was precisely executed, drawing a clear contrast between scenes set on pirate ships and in the wild jungle despite both taking place on a static set. When the boy who would come to be named Peter emotionally recalled his days in the orphanage, the lighting team mirrored his anguish by throwing the larger-than-life shadow of the headmaster on the curtains behind the pair, portraying Peter’s fear. The costume design (Emily O’Brien, Ella Cormicle, Lilly Tester, Gwen Felix) balanced prioritizing historical accuracy and incorporating whimsical elements. Blackstache, our leading villain, was dressed in a brilliant crimson jacket which displayed the structured silhouettes of the Victorian Era as well as an over-the-top tricorn hat outfitted with feathers and tinsel.
This pirate, played by the dazzling Ben Demase, spends the story desperately trying to get his hands on the Queen’s treasure. His mission repeatedly foiled by twists of fate and the heroism of the Lost Boys and the precocious Molly, Stache grows increasingly more frustrated, coming up with wilder antics. Demase commanded the stage with ease, self-importantly traversing the set, bounding up and down platforms as his volatile character demanded. His range was truly impressive as he jumped between comforting his loyal henchman Smee (Charlotte Abbe) in one moment and reprimanding him with a hair-raising scream the next. A moment of hilarity ensued when Demase dropped his English accent, complete with all of Stache’s operatic flourishes, to deliver a deadpan reaction even as his hand was lopped off.
Another standout performer was Elliana Cruise as the clever Molly Aster. Her portrayal of the brave young girl felt earnest and seeing her gain confidence as she outsmarted the pirates, experienced her first love, and stood up for her abilities was truly touching. As Peter (Abigail Landes) finds himself on the tropical remote island which would become Neverland, he becomes more entrenched in the world of fantasy and stays forever young. Molly, on the other hand, grows as a leader and realizes that she must return to her life, albeit with a newfound self-assuredness. Cruise and Landes’ relationship was perfectly encapsulated in brief gazes and small moments of connection between the two, a testament to both actors’ abilities.
The energy of the entire cast was infectious as they came together to perform a fabulous mermaid dance at the top of the second act. The lights shone a radiant aquamarine, and their flowing skirts were embellished with hand-sewn pearls. The technical aspects of the show perfectly supported the talent on stage. Maybe it wasn't a dusting of starstuff but instead the glowing people behind this production that had the audience nearly levitating out of their seats that day. Shine on Loudoun Valley!