Quote of the Day: You know the place between sleep and awake? The place where you can still remember dreaming? That’s where I will always love you. That’s where I’ll be waiting. Peter Pan

Lyric Arts is doing a wonderful production of Peter and the Starcatcher, a play by Rick Elice based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Person with music by Wayne Barker. It’s a play with music, an origin story of how the characters and elements of James Barrie’s Peter Pan came to be. It’s whimsical and humorous, a show the whole family can enjoy.

Nate Turcotte and May Heinecke in Peter and the Starcatcher at Lyric Arts, thru 9/29/24. Photo: Molly Weibel

Before Peter Pan was Peter Pan living on Neverland, he was a boy without a name living in an orphanage. He and two other boys, Ted and Prentiss, are kidnapped and brought on board a ship to be abandoned and fed to the creatures on Rundoon. Two ships set sail that day, The Wasp, carrying Lord Aster (Eric Knutson) and heading on a mission for the Queen, and The Neverland, carrying the orphans, Lord Aster’s daughter Molly, and a trunk. One trunk contains precious gifts for the queen, the other is a decoy. The Neverland ends up with the one that contains stardust. 

Erik Knutson, Noah Hynick, and Brendan Veerman in Peter and the Starcatcher at Lyric Arts, thru 9/29/24. Photo: Molly Weibel

The captain of The Neverland is an evil pirate named Black Stache. His crew of bumbling pirates navigates the ship towards Rundoon where they will get rid of the orphans and take possession of the treasures in the trunk. Of course, they experience a few bumps along the way, and grossly underestimate the cleverness of the children.

Lyric Arts’ wonderful ensemble cast give high energy performances, using clever theatrical devices to depict everything from waves to a boxing ring, singing swashbuckling tunes while bringing the characters, and audience, on a wild ride.

Cast of Peter and the Starcatcher at Lyric Arts, thru 9/29/24. Photo: Molly Weibel

May Heinecke plays the only girl on the ship, Molly, but she is clearly the leader. She is a Starcatcher apprentice and is still discovering the magic within herself and the stardust. She befriends Peter and the lost boys. Together, they survive their ordeal. Nate Turcotte plays a delightful Peter Pan. At first he is a sad, abandoned boy who only knows the cruelty of grown-ups and declares that he hates adults. He finds his own strength through his adventures. Theo Janke-Furman and Parker David Payne play Peter’s companions Prentiss and Ted. They are always vying for the leadership position, until they accept Molly and trust her intentions. 

Alex Stokes, Brendan Veerman, and Charlie Morgan in Peter and the Starcatcher at Lyric Arts, thru 9/29/24. Photo: Molly Weibel

Noah Hynick is hilarious as Captain Black Stache. He has some great moments, songs, and lines. Alex Stokes plays the only other “woman” on the ship, Mrs. Bumbrake, and he also plays Teacher. The script is written for a man to play the role, making it even funnier, and of course, Alex’ talents really shine here. He also has an amazing singing voice which we get to hear in several moments during the show.

I really enjoy the story of Peter and the Starcatcher. I listened to the audio book, read by the amazing Jim Dale who also read the Harry Potter series. I fell in love with the characters as Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson saw them, and their idea of how Peter Pan and his story came to be. The stage production is lively and fun, making the story come alive in new ways. I recommend Peter and the Starcatcher at Lyric Arts to anyone who still has a bit of a curious child inside and loves a feel-good story of friendship, strength and imagination. Playing through September 29, 2024 at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What are some of your favorite childhood stories?