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
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

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Boy/Peter Pan

Lead

Male

Spoken

Molly Aster

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Black Stache

Lead

Male

Tenor

Smee/Lieutenant Greggors

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Lord Leonard Aster

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Mrs. Bumbrake

Supporting

Female

Tenor

Slank

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Alf

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Captain Scott

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Prentiss

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Teddy

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Fighting Prawn

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Hawking Clam

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Grempkin

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Teacher

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Mack

Featured

Male

Spoken

Sanchez

Featured

Male

Spoken

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

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

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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.

    Fop

    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 short, self-contained scene or sketch that may be part of a larger production. Vignettes often highlight character or theme.

    Used metaphorically in theatre to describe the emotional or dramatic peak of a character’s arc or storyline.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By: