Ryan Curtis-
“Peter and the Starcatcher” is a Tony Award-winning musical play that tells the origin story of Peter Pan. A group of orphans find themselves caught in between comical pirates, strange magic and a young girl who doesn’t shy away from adventure.
“Peter and the Starcatcher is basically the prequel to the Peter Pan story. It gives the story of how Peter got his full name, Peter Pan. How Captain Hook got his hook. Why the alligator tick-tocks and why Peter can fly and stay young forever. It presents more information about the mythology and the story of Peter Pan,” summarized the show’s director, Paul Calenberg.
The University of Wisconsin–Stout Theater’s rendition of Peter and the Starcatcher is a “super quirky, funny play,” says actor Sam Kilgard, who plays Smee. Captain Stache and his right-hand man Smee are especially entertaining, which makes the battle between good and evil an enjoyable event.
The play holds up to its official description of being “a grown-up’s prequel to Peter Pan.” A mix of light and subtle “adult” humor gives viewers frequent laughter without offense being taken.
Nearly all of the cast members are freshmen at UW–Stout. “We’ve taken a lot of new people. Honestly, about 14 people and we’re all great friends,” said Kilgard. Calenberg also commented on the largely new cast: “It’s a lot of new people that I have never worked with before. It’s always great when you have fresh blood coming into the program.”
The last showings of Peter and the Starcatcher are on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m. in the Harvey Hall Theater. Come support UW-Stout Theater and it’s lively cast before it’s too late!