By Kimberlee St. Clair
The magic in Centerville begins the moment the stage lights come up on the most elaborate ship with all the appeal of childhood as CenterPoint Legacy Theatre flies into the new year with Peter and the Starcatcher, a play by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker based on the books by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.
The story begins on this incredible ship that is manipulated throughout the show into two ships. It brings to life the joy and adventure of the ultimate playground, complete with slides and rickety bridges. The two ships are introduced as the Neverland and the Wasp. The horrible captain of the Neverland, Bill Slank (Jake Omer/Lio Dertinati), has been hired to deliver orphan boys to a king, who plans to use them as snake food. The boys are Prentiss, (Skylar Smith/Nathan Nield) a friendly and ambitious kid; the lover of all foods who swoons at the mention of sticky pudding, Ted (Stone Newbould/Walter Inkley); and an angry, sullen “boy” (Jason Shumate/Liam Hunsaker). Also aboard the Neverland is Molly Aster (Emma Kate Leishman/Kate Williams), the daughter of Lord Leonard Aster (Jeremy Jonson/Jason Wadsworth), who is sailing on the Wasp, led by Captain Robert Falcon (Jake Hart/Russell Wadsworth). She is joined on her travels with the hysterical Mrs. Bumbrake (Logan Stacey/Zach Watts), who spends her time trying to woo Alf (Mark Gurney/Gary Pimental), a lovable, kind-hearted sailor, with his own fair share of flatulence.
The audience soon learns that Molly and her father are part of a secret group of Starcatchers, collecting the magical dust that comes from the stars for the purpose of destroying it in a volcano. The entire first act is full of comical antics and goofy jokes as the ships head to their destinations. Molly is sent with the Neverland, as her father supposes it will be safer, but actually both ships have colluders trying to steal the trunk. The Wasp is infiltrated by Black Stache (Brandon Green/Josh Curtis) and his side-kick, Smee. Act 2 develops the characters of the “lost boys” and “boy” finally gets a name and feels the kindness and love that Molly shares with him.
Leischman’s Molly is every bit a young, precocious girl who yearns to be more responsible and mature than her 13 years. Leishman excels at making a know-it-all girl into a charming and charismatic role, and her friendship with the lost boys is one that carries the emotional part of the story. She is brought to life with all the enthusiasm, curiosity and intelligence and fills the stage with her presence.
Although “boy” is played through the first act as a very serious role, Sumate’s chance to really shine happens as he finally gets a name in the second act and feels the kindness and love that Molly shares with him.
Black Stache is portrayed by Brandon Green (Josh Curtis) as a well-dressed, metrosexual, over-the-top pirate and he is so dramatic that it is PERFECT.
Stache’s side-kick, Smee (Oran Marc de Baritault/Aaron Linford), completes the team with his perfect Vaudeville comedy.
Along with the fabulous set designed by Bryan Christensen., the costumes by mother-daughter team Nita Smith and Jeana Forthman really stand out in the course of the story. From the well-dressed GQ Black Stache to the orphaned boys, the costumes reflect the personalities of the characters.
Peter and the Starcatcher is full of energy, camaraderie, humor, and whimsical fun, breaking the fourth wall of theater. But the most masterful element of the show is the friendship and love reflected in one awfully big adventure. It is appropriate for families, so come to Neverland before the show ends.
Centerpoint Legacy Theatre presents Peter and the Starcatcher, by Rick Elice and Music by Wayne Barker.
Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, 525 N 400 W, Centerville, UT 84014
Jan 17 – Feb 15, 2020, 7:30 PM, Saturday Matinee 2:30 PM.
Tickets: $18 – $30
Contact: 801-298-1302
Centerpoint Legacy Theatre Facebook Page
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