BWW Reviews: SHNSF's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Enchants Now thru December 1

Swashbuckling adventure and hilarious hijinks await patrons of SHNSF's Curran Theatre with 5-time Tony Award winning Peter and the Star Catcher, which has sailed into San Francisco for a magical turn before returning to Neverland or other parts unknown. This clever prequel to J.M. Barrie's beloved Peter and Wendy is powered by starstuff (which figures prominently in the play) and a high-energy cast that is the tightest ensemble I've seen in a long time. Good, old-fashioned storytelling, reliance on late, 19th century stagecraft -- and two directors (Roger Rees and Alex Timbers) whose imaginations were allowed to run amok -- have created a wildly enjoyable and enchanting show. Playing now through December 1, Peter and the Star Catcher is one show you will definitely want to see.

The story takes us back in time to 1885 -- and directors Roger Rees and Alex Timbers have taken the acting troupe back to that theatrical time as well, which means there is little in the way of special effects for the actors to lean on (hence the strong ensemble quality). I would have loved to have been there when Rees and Timbers work-shopped Star Catcher and then tried it out at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. Through that process, ropes became stairways or ship cabins; toy boats brought a high seas battle to life and ladders became pathways to the stars. Ribald without being racy and so funny you'll almost pee your pants, Star Catcher is a gem of theatrical brilliance.

This entertaining play started out as a children's book by authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and was adapted for the stage by Rick Elice (of Jersey Boys and Addams Family fame). In both tales, English Ambassador Lord Aster (Nathan Hosner) has been entrusted with disposing of a steam trunk full of "starstuff," a magical substance that, in the hands of the wrong person, could destroy everything good in the world. The disposal site is on the Island of Rundoon which is governed by the barbaric king Fighting Prawn (Lee Zarrett). Lord Aster will accompany the starstuff onboard the Wasp, but his daughter Molly Will be on the Neverland, which will take a safer route. As you may guess, mayhem ensues.

Megan Stern is utterly delightful as Molly, the girl on a mission to become a full-fledged Starcatcher like her father. Accompanied by her nanny, Mrs. Bumbrake (played with humorous aplomb by Benjamin Schrader), 13-year-old Molly is fearless, even when the two of them are duped and then held captive by Captain Scott (the wonderful Ian Michael Stuart). Molly escapes, only to discover that three orphan boys are being held captive as well. Ted (Edward Tournier) and Prentiss (Carl Howell), along with Boy (Joey deBettencourt), who will later name himself Peter Pan, soon join forces with Molly to seek their freedom and save the starstuff from evil hands.

Peter Pan's arch-nemesis is Black Stache (played by the amazing John Sanders). (Stache will eventually take the name "Captain Hook," but not in this show.) Sanders practically steals the show with his malapropism-prone portrayal of the mustachioed Stache. He is, quite simply, hilarious. His scene in the second act in which he loses his hand is one of the funniest bits ever written for the theatre.

Eventually, good triumphs, fish become mermaids, Tinker Bell comes into being and Molly must say goodbye to Peter, but not before a rousing good time is had by all. Go see Peter and the Star Catcher. It's definitely made of star-stuff material.

Peter and the Starcatcher: Comedy
Now through December 1
Written by Rick Elice
Adapted from the book by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Directed by Roger Rees and Alex Timbers
www.shnsf.com
Photo courtesy of Jenny Anderson

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