Magic, Mischief, and Mayhem Abound in Theatre Raleigh's "Peter and the Starcatcher"

Have you ever wondered how Peter Pan became the boy who never grows up? Have you ever pondered the origins of Tinkerbell? These questions and more are answered in Peter and The Starcatcher, a delightful and hilarious play currently gracing the stage at Theatre Raleigh. Based on a novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and adapted by Rick Elice, the story tells the origins of the beloved Peter Pan. Theatre Raleigh’s production, directed by Jessica Boevers Bogart, is packed with fun, whimsy, and a healthy dose of fairy dust

The magic begins the moment viewers walk inside the De Ann S. Jones Theatre. Through Kevin Judge’s imaginative scenic design, the space has been transformed into a giant, very realistic pirate ship. Complete with a crow’s nest and creaky floors, the wooden set resembles both a real ship and a child’s dream playhouse—the perfect combination for a story that’s all about the magic of childhood. 

As the play begins, viewers meet the lively passengers about to travel on two ships bound for Rundoon. There’s the dashing Lord Aster (Reez Bailey), who is on a secret mission; his daughter, Molly (Gracie Bryant); and a very special orphan, known at first as only Boy (Giancarlo Santiago).

When Lord Aster discovers that his ship has been taken over by a gang of dastardly pirates, led by the nefarious Black Stache (David Furr), and that his daughter’s life is at stake, the story quickly turns into a wild chase at sea. But, the adventure doesn’t stop there. Molly and Lord Aster have a little magic, in the form of “starstuff,” up their sleeves, and it’s about to turn everyone’s world upside down.

As the tale unfolds, playful, unending humor emerges along with it. Incredible energy and raucous laughter pervade every scene. Characters dash around the stage, fly,  fall overboard, and toss (pretend) animals around the stage. Luckily, Bogart’s fast-paced direction and smart staging keep up with Elice’s laugh-a-minute script. Characters move not just on stage but throughout the aisles and from up above, sometimes even engaging the audience directly. Live music ushers in Wayne Barker’s enchanting instrumental score and adds to the immersive, magical quality that makes the production so enthralling, and the incredible cast stays on its toes throughout.

Each actor’s performance is marked by an incredible sense of fun, freedom, and playfulness that helps bring the story alive, though there are also plenty of emotional moments as well. Bryant’s Molly is plucky, brave, and oh-so-courageous, while Santiago’s Boy/Peter is intense and brooding in all the right ways. Together, they bring an intriguing emotional undercurrent to their characters, creating a connection that feels as real and as painful as a first broken heart. Bailey also does his own share of emotional heavy-lifting in his role as Molly’s loving-but-stern father.

While there’s lots of heart, humor is what truly abounds here, particularly whenever Black Stache takes the stage. David Furr, a Tony Award nominee, does not disappoint. In a look that includes lots of black eyeliner, a devilish mustache, and tons of tattoos, he is quite obviously having a wonderful time being bad. His performance is both scarily evil and delightfully fun, creating the kind of villain you love to see . . . and that you love to see punished.

David Furr as Black Stache.

Liam Yates also adds to the comedy with his oh-so-dramatic performance of Mrs. Bumbrake, Molly’s often-flustered nanny, and the whole crew of pirates, including a particularly silly Smee (Ross Cowan), and Lost Boys also add to the fun and action. Plus, there’s an unforgettable second act opener that’s full of mermaids, color, glitter, and Tim Malboeuf’s high-spirited choreography. In this moment, it’s hard to tell who’s having more fun: the cast or the audience. Either way, the energy is wonderfully infectious, both here and throughout, and viewers will leave feeling as if they’ve been transported to a magical world.

Like Peter himself, you won’t want to step away from this fantastical land of magic and mayhem, but don’t worry. The production’s tender closing moments are a reminder that the story and its enchantment will live on forever, especially when entrusted into such capable hands. 

Peter and the Starcatcher, which runs through June 22, is yet another hit for Theatre Raleigh, which has a lot of big things up its sleeve, including a plan to launch a coffee shop, wine bar, and ice cream parlor in the near future. Tickets to Peter are available here, and we’ll all stay tuned to see what kind of pixie dust this magical little theatre sprinkles next.