By Abigail Kim
Peter Pan is one of the most enduring childhood characters from the century. His story taps into our inner-child, exploring themes such as imagination, maternal love, preserving memories, and courage, ultimately teaching us to embrace adventure.
For this year’s play, performing arts teacher Stuart Fingeret has chosen to produce “Peter and the Starcatcher,” a reinterpretation of “Peter Pan.” The 2004 novel “Peter and the Starcatchers” written by Dave Barr and Ridley Pearson was adapted to a stage play by Rick Elice in 2011. It had a run on Broadway in 2012.
“Peter and the Starcatcher” explores how Peter went from an ordinary orphan from England to the extraordinary boy that never grows up and has the ability to fly on the magical island of Neverland.
It answers the questions left unasked in Peter Pan, such as how he got his name, how Black Stache became Captain Hook (how he lost his hand), how Peter met TinkerBell, who the lost boys are, and how the island got its name.
In the play, Peter and his friends are destined to become servants when they are shipped off to Rundoon on the ship the Neverland. The plot really revolves around a mysterious treasure aboard either the Neverland or its sister ship the Wasp.
The infamous pirate Black Stache overhears news of the treasure and attempts to recruit Peter and his friends to help.
Peter and Molly Astor, the daughter of the Wasp’s captain, then embark on their quest to prevent Black Stache from getting his hands on the contents of the trunk.
Compared to last year’s light, and uplifting story, Peter and the Starcatcher is jam-packed with adventure.
“At Granada, in choosing the play we ask what will be a new, challenging, and exciting experience for the cast and audience? We often think of contrast. Last year we did a romantic comedy in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ celebrates the sounds of words, the transformation of actors, and the thrill of the imagination,” Fingeret said.
The play is not only fun to watch, but also expresses deep meaning and life lessons.
“For all its fun and wit, ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ explores the depths of greed and despair and the bonds of friendship, duty and love. Coming out of a pandemic, it will be really interesting to see those themes on stage,” Fingeret said.
“Peter and Starcatcher” is a story that is sure to capture your heart, along with the remarkable acting and hard work of the drama students. The play will be produced in November. Tickets will be available online.
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