More than 100 years after it first appeared, J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan still inspires imagination, as seen in Peter and the Starcatcher (2011), the play currently offered by Great Lakes Theater at the Hanna Theatre. The story, adapted by Rick Elice from the 2004 novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, offers an engaging account of the flying, never-aging boy’s origins.
Scenic designer Courtney O’Neill, assisted by Rick Martin (lighting) proved form follows function with a simple setting. The stage, filled with undulating waves of sturdy black and white levels dotted, when need be, with sails and trunks, offered a surprisingly useful surface for actions and settings.
Costumes designed by Esther M. Haberlen and hairpieces by wig designer Caitie Martin also helped us follow the story as actors shifted (via a hat or a jacket, etc.) from one character to another. It worked surprisingly well. Puppets designed by Davey Collins and Hayden Pedersen added supernatural effects, as did other touches by designer Josh Brinkman.
Program notes quote director Jaclyn Miller’s statement that “Theater is a team sport.” Based on the show’s opening night, the skilled (and nimble) cast proved Coach Miller’s analysis as they worked together to create a world. Especially amusing was watching as they left the stage as one believable character and emerged almost immediately as a completely different one.
Leading the team, a charismatic Benjamin Michael Hall morphed from orphan child in dire peril of being a pirate slave to Peter Pan, the magical champion of his fellow castaways. Once Peter meets Molly (Angela Utrera) a beautiful and kind young woman, they join forces with the other lost boys to fight the dreadful pirate, Black Stache (Joe Wegner).
Other players — all outstanding contributors playing everybody everywhere all at once (almost) — included Theo Allyn, Dar’Jon Marquise Bentley, Jeremy Gallardo, Nic Hermick, Grayson Heyl, Jesse Cope Miller, James Alexander Rankin, Evan Stevens and M.A. Taylor.
I’d like to see it again because I think I might have missed some of the play’s reputed verbal wit that was swallowed up as characters jumped from one area to another or wielded weapons in mighty fights. But, by closing night, all should be perfect — and it nearly was opening night anyway.
What wasn’t perfect that night was the weather. A snow/sleet storm engulfed Cleveland right before the show, but it didn’t stop the stalwart audience. Most seats were filled. Great Lakes fans are the best.
Bottom Line: Indeed, why grow up? Not when the unsettled land of childhood’s possibilities still remains to be claimed and explored — at least for a few hours — while watching this delight-filled show. Go team Peter Pan!
[Written by Laura Kennelly]
