PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Takes Flight At St. Luke's UMC

St. Luke's United Methodist Church is proud to present the highly inventive Peter and the Starcatcher. This swashbuckling prequel to Peter Pan is an adventurous tale complete with madcap comedy that will have you hooked from the moment you let your imagination take flight. Written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker, the story is based on the 2004 children's novel of a similar name, co-written by humorist Dave Barry and suspense writer Ridley Pearson. The book and play are an origin story for the character of Peter Pan and a prologue to the events in J.M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy.

The cast includes Sage Starkey as Black Stache, Michael Thibodeau as Peter, Andrea Hochkeppel as Molly, alongside the fantastic troupe of Blake Aburn, Eric Desnoyers, John Devennie, Robert Diachesyn, Aly Grauer, Drew Mierzejewski, RJ Silva, Jonathan Timpanelli, and Jared Warren.

Peter and the Starcatcher is directed by Steve MacKinnon with musical direction by Josh Ceballos, Choreography and Assistant direction by Andrea Stack, scenic design by Joe Klug, costumes by Mandy Brumby, lighting by Michael Powers, props by Lilly Hastings, and sound by Anthony Narcisso. Tiffany Lyn Meadows is Production Stage Manager.

"It is great for all ages ...," says The Rev. Jennifer Stiles Williams, St. Luke's Lead Pastor. "Girls at any age will be empowered by Molly. Children will be captivated by the pirates and the lost boys. Adults will love it and laugh at things the kids miss... but it's also a story that captures my heart and gave me hope in a world where we sometimes don't make room for creativity, imagination and unadulterated faith to believe in the impossible.

"Having been labeled "lost", and told to "grow up" more times than I can remember, I have always been someone who has held Neverland close to my heart" shared Director Steve MacKinnon. "The play is truly a celebration of theatricality and we have such a talented cast we have been creating this piece alongside."

Playwright Rick Elice thoughtfully comments: "When I was a boy, I wished I could fly, and the notion of being a boy forever was pure delight. No homework, no chores, no responsibility, no sorrow. Now that I'm in the middle of my life, I understand what I'd have missed had I never grown up, or fallen in love, or stood my ground, or lost a battle-or written a play."

MacKinnon said, "The underlying message of courage, commitment, and compassion is what I am most excited for our community to experience on this adventure! "

Peter and the Starcatcher performance dates and times include:

· Friday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m.

· Saturday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m.

· Sunday, April 15 at 2:30 p.m.

· Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m.

· Friday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m.

· Saturday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

· Sunday, April 22 at 2:30 p.m

Tickets range from $15-$20.Tickets are on sale now at www.st.lukes.org/starcatcher. To reserve group tickets, call 407.876.4991 ext. 223. St. Luke's United Methodist Church is located at 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road in Orlando.