Review: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER at Theatre Tallahassee Ropes Audience In

All I knew about Peter and the Starcatcher before I attended the March 31 performance at Theatre Tallahassee was that a friend's son had been in a production elsewhere in Florida. Now that I have seen the show for myself, I have a deeper appreciation for how Peter got his name (among other things).

Each cast member had previous theatre experience to his or her name; those of us who attend Theatre Tallahassee productions frequently noticed many familiar faces. The cast's rhythm with each other and ease of presence within the ensemble no doubt was born of the extensive experience brought to the boards.

One of the standout components of this performance was the physical comedy (paired with outstanding sound effects). Ropes became door frames, boxing rings, mirrors, and boat decks. Mrs. Bumbrake (Michael "Doc" Dean) had an air of feminine whimsy; Black Stache (Nathan Williamson) captured my imagination with his air of amused arrogance.

Beyond how the actors carried themselves on stage, the production made maximum use of minimum props. I have seen the "swath of blue cloth used as the ocean by being waved by two humans" often, especially in dance performances. It worked well here; no one was in danger of getting seasick but it's possible I detected a hint of salt in the air when the "water" got going.

A few individual actors merit mention. Molly's (Megan Preston) and Peter's (Keith Martinez) chemistry built throughout the show and peaked at just the right moment; I was rooting for them to have the moment they made the most of. I didn't realize "Teddy" was being played by a female actor (Samantha Rose Algaze) until I read it in the program, to Samantha's credit.

As far as crowd favorites, I was keeping an ear out for crowd reaction and would have to give the biggest kudos to the production number that starts off Act Two. It was campy, fun, and magnetic. People were audibly laughing, joyfully, as the actors portrayed mermaids on the shore of Mollusk Island. "Are those razors in his hair?" asked my theatre companion regarding one actor's mermaid ensemble. Yes they were, a rainbow of disposable razors!

It is not that easy, in my opinion, to bring a prequel to a beloved children's story to life. I remember being shocked and put off when the book Wicked was nothing like the show which brought me such joy. I haven't read Peter and the Starcatcher but, just like I will never see the Wicked Witch of the West now without hearing "she's GREEN!" during the birth scene in Wicked, there is a pivotal point at the end of Peter and the Starcatcher which will now always stay with me when Wendy and Peter fly off to Neverland.

No story starts with a truly blank slate. Peter and the Starcatcher laid the foundation, for me, for Peter Pan - the crocodile may have once been silent. Peter May have once had no name. But the stars to be caught were always there ..... for anyone willing to think back to the time when Peter was just a lost boy.

Photo Credit: Theatre Tallahassee

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