PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Opens 7/5 at Peninsula Players Theatre

A magical adventure is in store for audiences at Peninsula Players Theatre when its production of "Peter and the Starcatcher" by Rick Elice ("Jersey Boys," "Addams Family") opens July 5. Based on the novel by humorist David Barry and suspense novelist Ridley Pearson, "Peter and the Starcatcher" is a grown-up's prequel to Peter Pan featuring swashbuckling pirates, mischievous mermaids, spirited seafarers, a trunk full of magic starstuff and the adventures of a nameless orphan boy and his new friend Molly. This Tony Award-winning play will light up the theatre-in-a-garden with its stardust and transport audiences to a Neverland they never knew through July 23.

Lord Aster, a Victorian English gentleman and starcatcher, and his 13-year old daughter, Molly, are at a busy port about to embark on a secret mission for the Queen. A starcatcher collects dust that falls from shooting stars, a dust that possesses incredible magical properties.

The adventure begins when the trunk is loaded onto the wrong ship and Molly, an apprentice starcatcher and the story's hero, seeks the aid of three orphan boys. The new friends are chased by Black Stache, the infamous marauding, yet well-versed villain, who seeks the stardust for his own malicious use.

"The cast of 12 plays a multitude of characters with a huge amount of zest and imagination, and tells the fabulous story of how a boy became Peter Pan and how an island became the magical Neverland," said Peninsula Players Artistic Director Greg Vinkler. "When the play ends, we are right at the beginning of the J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan adventures. This magical piece of theater is filled with a great deal of humor and delightful musical numbers. All of the sound effects are performed live on stage by two musicians playing more than 40 instruments!

"There is a distinction between theater for adults and that crafted for children. Though 'Peter and the Starcatcher' is based on a series of books written for young adults, the playful nature of the story is crafted for an adult's attention span. It is brilliantly hilarious and most age groups will enjoy it. Audiences will embark on a pirate's adventures, encounter spectacular mermaids and discover the secret to eternal youth!"

Nick Vidal and Henry McGinniss are three orphan boys begin chased by pirates in rehearsal fo Peninsula Players production of "Peter and the Starcatcher." Newcomer Matt Crowle (a Joseph Jefferson Award-winner and nominated choreographer) directs the cast of 12 featuring Matt Holzfeind as Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Emma Rosenthal as Molly and Kyle Hatley as The Neverland's vicious captain, Slank. Hatley, Holzfeind and Rosenthal were recently seen in Peninsula Players world première of "The Actuary."

Crowle's directing and choreographic credits include "Singin' in the Rain," "Crazy for You" and "White Christmas." As an actor he performed in the Broadway company of "Monty Python's Spamalot" and tap danced across the country with Tommy Tune in the national tour of "Doctor Dolittle."

Also under Crowle's direction are Peninsula Players veteran performers Harter Clingman ("Alabama Story," "The Full Monty") who portrays Black Stache's First Mate, Smee, and who is also serving as associate director of the play; Jackson Evans ("The Full Monty") is Molly's very British nanny Mrs. Bumbrake; Sean Fortunato ("Lend Me a Tenor," "Chicago") portrays the terror of the seven seas, Black Stache, who is in search of a hero worthy of his villainy; Joe Foust ("The 39 Steps," "The Game's Afoot") portrays Grempkin, the scornful schoolmaster of the lost boy's orphanage; James Rank ("A Little Night Music," "Sunday in the Park with George") is cast as Molly's father, Lord Aster. Making their Peninsula Players debut are Karl Hamilton, Dan Klarer, Henry McGinniss and Nick Vidal.

Hamilton portrays Alf, an old sea dog, and the orphan boys who befriend Molly are portrayed by Klarer (Ted), McGinniss (Peter) and Vidal (Prentiss).

Bruce Newbern ("Always...Patsy Cline," "Nunsense") is the percussionist and Valerie Maze ("The Full Monty," "Cabaret") is Musical Director and keyboardist. Newbern calls Door County home and plays guitar for Bubble and Squeak, an eclectic Irish band. Maze's credits include conductor at Drury Lane Theatre, Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare and assistant conductor at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The artistic company and creative team has numerous regional, off-Broadway and Broadway credits.

Clingman and Vidal were castmates in the first national tour of "Peter and the Starcatcher;" Hamilton's credits include off-Broadway's "Ride the Cyclone;" Klarer, a Door County performance veteran, recently performed in "Whistling in the Dark: A Sherlock Homes Adventure" with Rockford, Illinois' Artists' Ensemble; and McGinniss recently won the Best Actor in a Principal Role - Musical at the non-Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards for his portrayal of Bat Boy/Edgar in "Bat Boy the Musical."

The creative team for this production includes regional and award-winning designers crafting the world of "Peter and the Starcatcher." The team includes scenic designer James Maronek ("A Little Night Music," "Chicago," and Broadway's "Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?"); lighting designer Emil Boulous ("The Hollow," "Alabama Story"); costume designer Kärin Simonson Kopischke, ("Alabama Story," "Dial M for Murder") sound designer Christopher Kriz ("The Actuary," "The 39 Steps") and properties designer Jesse Gaffney ("Butler," "Nunsense").

Peninsula Players works with members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), United Scenic Artists (USA) and Actors' Equity Association (AEA) for its productions. Peninsula Players is a member of AEA, the union of professional actors and stage managers, and employs professional actors. Company members work in regional theaters from Los Angeles to New York and internationally, as well as in film, television and radio. Many of the directors, designers and cast members are recipients of or have been nominated for Chicago's prestigious Joseph Jefferson Award and other regional theater awards.

"Peter and the Starcatcher" had its Broadway premiere on April 15, 2012 and ran for 319 performances, winning five Tony Awards and eight Lucille Lortel Awards, which recognize excellence in New York Off-Broadway theater, as well as Obie and Drama Desk awards.

"Peter and the Starcatcher" is sponsored by a Friend of the Players and True Essence Healing Arts - Margaret and Dale West.

Join Molly and the lost boys as they battle the dashing pirate Black Stache and his crew to keep their treasure safe and save the world! Discover an island where a time table is never planned and dreams are born. Witness a nameless lad be christened Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up.

"Peter and the Starcatcher" performs Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. July 5 through July 22 with a 4 p.m. matinee Sunday, July 23. Individual ticket prices range from $38 to $44. Groups of 15 or more receive a discount. For more information or to reserve tickets phone the Peninsula Players Box Office at 920-868-3287 or visit the website at www.peninsulaplayers.com.