On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the Redwood rendition of the hit play, “Peter and the Starcatcher,” will open in the Black Box Theater at 7 p.m. The production is a prequel to the famous “Peter Pan” fairytale. The cast, spanning across all four grade levels, has been rehearsing for over a month to open the curtains with a bang.
Set on two ships departing from Victorian England in 1885, three young orphan boys encounter a witty, bright girl named Molly Aster, the daughter of an English lord and minister to the queen. On their journey to the imaginary kingdom of Rundoon, the four children find themselves having to protect a valuable trunk of magical “starstuff” from nearby pirates, one of which is Black Stash, later known as Captain Hook.
Seasoned director of over 10 years, Elena Wright, loves the play’s mythical plot and the creativity it takes to bring the play to life.
“What’s great about [the play], is that it’s really fast-moving, the language is pretty simple and it’s super fun,” Wright said. “[The play] is like a love letter to theater in many [respects] because [props] are reused in multiple ways. So it’s about imagination. We have everyday objects that are used and we use them inventively to get the audience to use their imaginations.”
Another important aspect that gives this show its spark, is the role of the ensemble, which are the group of actors in the background of each scene. Senior Miles Doucette plays the role of Black Stash and has been in the drama program for almost four years.
“Some of the highlights have definitely been how ensemble-heavy this play is. It’s the kind of play where there isn’t really a backstage, everyone’s always on stage and in the scene.”
Calla Hollingsworth, a senior and actor of over 10 years, is playing the role of Peter, one of the lost boys, with whom she feels a personal connection.
“I played Peter Pan when I was 12 years old, so it’s been really interesting for me because it’s kind of a full circle moment,” Hollingsworth said.
The play’s ability to stress the importance of self-discovery and preserving childlike innocence is something that Hollingsworth feels evokes intense emotion in both the audience and cast.
“The whole theme of never growing up is interesting because I am growing up and I’m graduating so soon. A very challenging part of playing Peter has been letting go of [my] desire to leave because I am ready to leave, but Peter wants to stay a boy,” Hollingsworth said.
Wright believes these moving, but lighthearted themes make it an ideal show for high school performers.
“[Peter and the Starcatcher] is one of the most popular plays done in high schools because it’s got a big cast, there is music and there is dance. And it’s all about learning how to do theater,” Wright said.
There are a great number of learning experiences for the actors participating in the show, one of which is stage combat – an important skill for a performer.
“We’re doing Quarterstaff fighting, where you practice hitting each other with sticks, without [actually] hitting each other,” Hollingsworth said.
Ever since the pandemic, the drama department struggled to reintegrate live music into their shows, but this production includes a live piano player. Even though “Peter and the Starcatcher” is not technically a musical, there are still a few musical numbers in the play; hence the need for a musical track. For the set itself, the department brought in outside talent.
“We have a wonderful artist named Huda-Al-Jamal, who works at Archie Williams, and [has been] designing all of the set, costumes, props – almost everything,” Wright said.
The cast will be carrying out a total of five shows on Oct. 4 through 7 all starting at 7 p.m., and a Saturday matinee on Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.
Doucette expects that the audience will be able to appreciate the truly imaginative and colorful nature of the show.
“I think the draw is that it’s a wacky play. The phrasing of some of the lines has been interesting because the words get pretty whimsical at times,” Doucette said. “[The play] is such a contrast to the book because the book is dark and spooky, but the play is like a complete township. It’s such a funny and silly show.”
Tickets are to be sold at the door of the Black Box Theater, $5 for students and $10 for adults.
