Overview
Synopsis
Peter and the Starcatcher is a prequel to Peter Pan based on the children’s book by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and freely adapted for the stage by Rick Elice, with co-directors Alex Timbers and Roger Rees. For two-and-a-half hours, twelve actors make theatrical magic by playing dozens of characters: sailors, pirates, British naval officers, Mollusk natives and orphans in addition to eighteen major roles. The original Broadway production was a deliberately low-budget spectacle: an extravaganza of staging that relied on suggestion and storytelling rather than expensive set pieces like the chandelier in Phantom of the Opera or the helicopter in Miss Saigon. Elice’s script, jam-packed with poetry, fart jokes, gentle lyricism, and numerous nods to pop culture, is a coming-of-age adventure story about how a nameless orphan -- inspired by a remarkable and ambitious girl -- became the strange and celebrated hero that is the Boy Who Would Not Grow Up.
Show Information
- Book
- Rick Elice
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Based on the the novel Peter and the Starcatcher by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2011
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- Settings
- Spectacle
- Time & Place
- 1885, the docks of portsmouth, the decks and holds of two ships, and the jungles and shores of mollusk island
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- high school, broadway, touring, College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Based on Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novel Peter and the Starcatchers, Rick Elice’s unique Peter and the Starcatcher (note the dropped “s”) is one of the most inventive and adventurous plays to hit Broadway in recent years. Roger Rees and Alex Timbers co-directed the original production, from its earliest workshop at Williamstown Theatre Festival to the first fully mounted production at La Jolla to the New York premiere at New York Theatre Workshop and, finally, Broadway’s
to read the context for Peter and the Starcatcher and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
The twelve actors sweep onto the empty stage and gaze out at the audience. “When I was a boy, I wished I could fly,” says a young man at the center of the clump. Others chime in their agreement, then suddenly the only actress in the group bursts forward, adding -- to the irritation of the men surrounding her -- that she too dreamed of flying. “What?” she says to them, “Girls dream.” “Up to the stars,” the young man replies, “I like that.” “Me too,” she says, and the two of them, the actors
to read the plot for Peter and the Starcatcher and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
An apprentice is someone who learns a craft or trade through hands-on experience, typically under the guidance of a skilled professional. In theatre, apprenticeships often involve training in technical, performance, or administrative roles.
A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.
A dramatic device that transports the narrative to an earlier time to provide background or context.
A comedic character type, especially in English Renaissance plays, characterized by excessive concern with fashion and manners.
Spoken or performed without preparation. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
A comedic device where a word is mistakenly replaced with a similar-sounding but incorrect one, leading to humorous misunderstanding. Frequently used in English Renaissance comedy to reveal character ignorance.
Spoken commentary that provides exposition or transitions within a play. Narration often bridges scenes and guides audience understanding.
A dramatic work that includes incidental music or songs, but is not classified as a full musical. Music supports mood and storytelling without dominating the narrative.
A dramatic or narrative work that takes place before the events of a previously written or performed story. Prequels expand character backstories and contextualize original plots.
An introductory speech or scene that sets up the context or themes of a play. Prologues are commonly used in classical drama to prepare the audience for what follows.
The British monarch during much of the 19th century whose reign shaped the values and aesthetics of Victorian theatre, including morality, realism, and melodrama.
A silent, motionless group of actors representing a scene or moment, often used for dramatic effect or to end a scene visually.
A vignette in drama is a short, self-contained scene or playlet that focuses on a single moment, theme, or character interaction. It does not require a full plot or complex structure, but instead provides a snapshot of life that conveys emotion, humor, or insight. Vignettes can stand alone or be grouped together to form a larger work.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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