Peter Pan prequel for young, and young at heart

By Rich Fahey

PLYMOUTH – The magic of live theater doesn’t always have to come from a falling chandelier.

Sometimes it can be as simple as a rope, a prop used to resemble the ocean blue, or model ships heading toward a horrendous collision.

And it works, even on a smaller scale because all of us are born with imaginations, and all of us are still children at heart. And we never really wanted to grow up.

The Americana Theatre Company’s “Peter and the Starcatcher” at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts is the epic tale – a prequel – detailing how Peter Pan, Wendy, the Lost Boys, Captain Hook and Smee, Tinkerbell and even the ravenous crocodile came to be in Neverland. The play, by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker, is based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, and it won five Tony Awards in 2012.

Americana’s core group that has delighted Plymouth audiences in the past returns, and there is spirited competition to see who can deliver the most laughs along the way.

Brian Kennerson is Lord Leonard Aster, on a secret mission for Queen Victoria as the Starcatcher in charge of making sure the “star stuff” — not to be confused, but will be, with a popular coffee – doesn’t fall into the hands of a band of pirates.

There are two ships involved in the tale: The Wasp and The Neverland, both loaded with cargo trunks that may or may not contain what Lord Aster is duty bound to protect.

Abby Kramer is Lord Aster’s daughter Molly, an intrepid young girl who finds meaning and a special friendship as she leads the trio of orphans – who have been kidnapped and destined to be snake food on a faraway island — on a dangerous mission against thieves and pirates.

There is a nameless Boy (Christian Simpson) who will someday gain the name of Peter; Prentiss (Leo Flora), who fashions himself as the leader of the trio but does more talking than leading; and the perpetually hungry Ted (Brendan Hone).

David Friday’s legendary comic chops are unleashed once again as Mrs. Bumbrake, Molly’s nanny, who finds true, true love in the form of Alf, (Andre Meservey), the salty if gassy good-matured mate. It’s a match made in heaven and lived on earth.

Derek Grant Martin authors another master class in acting in bringing to life the villainous, scheming pirate Black Stache. He delivers a series of delicious bon mots, some of which may fly over the heads of younger members of the audience.  He brilliantly sets the stage for the future adventures of the notorious Captain Hook, his over-the-top character chewing the scenery while channeling his inner Snidely Whiplash (Look it up!).   

Aiding and abetting Black Stache is his right-hand man and bumbling mate, Smee, another comic gem in the hands of Nick Hancock.

Erin Friday is the villainous Bill Slank, mate of The Neverland, and later, after the shipwreck — in Act II when the action moves to Mollusk Island — portrays a hilarious Fighting Prawn, the ally of the equally dangerous Hawking Clam, played by Karly Friday.  Both get caught up in the race to get to the trunk with the goods.

There is action aplenty on Mollusk Island, including a chorus line of dancing Mermaids, with choreography by Martin, who also designed the versatile, detailed set. Somehow, someway, it all comes together, including the ingeniously created ticking alligator.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” isn’t really a musical, but a play with music, but that doesn’t diminish the importance of accompanist Sarah Troxler, who performed the actual score, as well as the incidental music and sound effects that helped tell the story.

Director Jesse M. Sullivan, in heartfelt program notes, reminded us that the story of Peter Pan is a creature of the theater, with author J.M. Barrie writing it as a stage play long before he penned the book “Peter and Wendy.” Even though Peter’s story has been told in books, films and cartoons, Sullivan said “he has never felt more at home than on the stage.” In the end, Sullivan writes that what makes Peter Pan truly timeless is “everyone is a lost boy. Everyone is a pirate. Nothing works unless everyone plays the game.”

If you, like me, have never grown up and don’t intend to any time soon, set sail for adventure through July 20.

The Americana Theatre Company production of “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Play by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker, based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Directed by Jesse M. Sullivan. Production stage manager: Jenny DaSilva.  Set design and choreography by Derek Grant Martin. Costume design by Chris Lowey.  Lighting design by Heather Crocker. Sound design by Emily Payson/Pat Dzierzak. At the Spire Center for the Performing Arts through July 20. Americanatheatre.org