Review: Hale Centre Theatre's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Soars

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER at Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley is a magical production of story theatre that soars.

The Tony-winning hit Broadway play PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker) is based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. The PETER PAN prequel follows the paths of two ships, each carrying a trunk that may or may not contain mystical, powerful "starstuff." An orphan named Boy and a girl named Molly must protect it against all odds, even in the face of pirates, island natives, and mermaids.

Andrew Robertson (double cast with Kooper Campbell) as Boy drives the action with his magnetic charisma and the innocence he infuses into the character.

Amber Dodge Tinney (double cast with Brighton Hertford) plays Molly Aster as a tough girl with a heart of gold. Her British accent is impeccable, and along with Robertson she can be relied on to help carry every scene she's in.

Ryan Poole (double cast with Ben Abbott) plays Black Stache with great panache. His lines are delivered with giddy knowingness, peppering the dialogue with rapid-fire barbs and one-liners.

The ensemble, which crackles with energy, does great work with the specific humor and physicality required of the piece. However, the dramatic notes of the show are not as affecting as they could and should be. No one in the cast really plumbs the depths of emotion that could have really made it something special.

Lighting designer Adam Flitton makes an enormous contribution to the production through both the lavish mood lighting and the simple but electrifying magical effects.

Costume designer Peggy Willis creates a layered and colorful, yet slightly grimy world that wonderfully encapsulates both the wonder and the squalor of the story, and hair and makeup designer Krissa Lent is right in step with her.

Properties designer Michelle Jensen brings spectacle to everyday objects in her creations, brought to brilliant life through David Tinney's direction.

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER plays through May 18, 2016. For tickets, call the box office at 801-984-9000 or visit www.halecentretheatre.org.

Photo Credit: L-R Amber Dodge Tinney (Molly Aster), Ryan Poole (Black Stache), and Andrew Robertson (Boy)

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